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LIBRARY 

WNIVBRSITT  Of 
CAIIFOBNIA 


vT,  7^ 


H.  SCOFIELD, 

Pkivate^^Iibeaby. 


No.  //  G  /  (^ 


.A:i_.oJ^t. 


Emmons  (Col.  W.)  The  Battle  of  Bunker 

Portrait.    12mo,  cl.    Bost. 

50  fts. 


1324  - 
Hill,  a  ad  Wstoric  poems, 
n.  Q. 

1325 Freneau's  Poems 


oems  on  various, 
subjects,  but  chiefly  of  the  events  and  actors  ol  the 
War  ol  Independence.  16mo,  cl.,  uncut.  J.  Russell 
Smith's  beaniifni  Fngiishreurint.   [ond.,l86L  $i.50 


m 


*^---i> 


lJr.n.7,  Ih-w  l.ii;-..,,,.!  i:„,„:„;.l  hr  .1.  li. I. .■„.,., nr. 

EORN  m  BOSTON  AUGUST  30?"^  1708. 
AUTHOR  OF  THE  FREDONIAD  &C. 


THK 


BATTLE  OF  BUNKER  HILL, 


OB 


THE  TEMPLE  OF  LIBERTY; 

AN 

HISTORIC   POEM   IN  FOUR  CANTOS. 
COL.    WILLIAM   EMMONS, 

fBOPBIETOB. 


RESPECTFULLY   DEDICATED 

TO  THE 

ntlENDS  OF  RATIONAL  LIBrfiTY  THROUGHOUT  THE  WORLIX 


TENTH     EDITION 

BOSTON: 

1865. 

<Mi£i  Xixu 


Altered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  tlie  year  185d,  bj 

William  Ehmorb, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  New- York. 


^r3 

bed 

TO  THE  CITIZENS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  publisher  of  this  inspiring  poem  has  appended  several  articles 
from  the  journals  of  the  provincial  Congress,  relating  to  the  early 
difficulties  between  the  colonies  and  the  mother  country.  Although 
motherf  her  conduct  at  that  period  was  that  of  an  unnatural  one,  yet  had 
it  been  otherwise,  instead  of  celebrating  the  day  of  our  Nation's  birth, 
in  all  human  probability  we  should  have  been  found  among  the  wor 
shippers  of  England's  fair  Queen. 

Those  documents  will  go  far  to  show  the  rising  generations,  the 
real  char.\cter  of  those  master  spirits  that  moved  the  mighty  ball  of 
the  revolution,  who,  through  smoke  and  fire,  and  cannon's  ire,  fought 
on  Bunker's  Hill — infusing  a  determined  spirit  throughout  the  whole 
colonies,  to  break  their  shackles,  and  like  men  be  free,  to  tyrants 
longer  not  to  bend  the  knee.  Then  guard  the  dear-bought  purchase 
with  your  lives,  and  give  it  to  your  seed. 

Should  the  circulation  of  this  volume  tend  to  cement  us  as  a  free 
people,  in  the  bonds  of  union,  without  distinction,  except  that  of  virtue 
and  vice  ;  and  to  disseminate  the  broad  principle,  that  the  star-sp£in- 
gled  banner  should  protect  men  of  all  nations,  and  America 
be  the  asylum  of  the  oppressed,  and  the  home  of  the  brave — ^my  ob- 
ject will  be  effected. 

The  public's  obedient  serv't, 

WM.  EMMONS. 

y 

505 


BUNKER   HILL. 


Canto  L 


o 

I— i 

H 

W 

W 


BUNKER    HILL. 


AiteuMENT. — Subject  proposed — ^Invocation — ^The  inunediate  effect  pro- 
duced through  New  England  by  the  battle  of  Lexington — ^The  position  of  • 
the  American  forces  besieging  the  enemy  in  the  town  of  Boston — The 
council  of  war — Generals  Putnam  and  Prescott  advance  and  occupy  the 
heights  of  Charlestown — Colonel  Gardner  is  stationed  behind  Bunker  Hill 
with  the  reserved  corps — ^At  daylight  Putnam  repairs  to  Cambridge  to 
procure  a  fresh  horse  and  to  solic  it  reinforcements — ^An  episode. 

The  scene  is  laid  in  Cambridge,  Charlestown,  and  Lexington.  The 
time  is  about  sixteen  hours — commencing  at  noon  on  the  16th  of  June,  anc? 
ending  at  daylight  on  the  17th,  1775. 


Canto  I. 

Of  Bunker's  height,  where  chosen  spirits  stood. 
And  stain'd  the  folds  of  England's  flag  with  blood* 
Diffident  I  sing.     My  loos'd  harp  restrung. 
Allures  me  to  attempt  the  lofly  song. 

Indulgent  Muse !  with  hallo w'd  impulse  come, 
And  the  dark  chambers  of  my  mind  illume — 
Give  me  to  feel  thy  visitations  nigh. 
And  mount  my  soul  on  wings  of  transport  high  j 


8  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Grant  me  the  power,  past,  buried  scenes  to  see, 
That  I  may  trace  their  Hving  imagery. 
Place  in  my  hand  the  silver  key  that  throws 
The  bolts  of  memory  back ;  to  me  disclose 
The  hidden  treasures  of  her  secret  cell, 
That  I  her  brilliant  jewels  may  reveal. 
And  doth  my  heart  thy  influence  perceive  ? 
Or  does  my  mind  a  fancied  charm  believe  ? 
Thou  ne'er  hast  left  me  drooping  in  despair, 
But  seem'd  to  nurse  me  with  maternal  care ; 
Hence  not  will  I  thy  guardianship  mistrust. 
That  I  estranged  shall  grovel  in  the  dust — 
Me  thinks  from  heaven  I  see  thee  stoop  thy  wing, 
To  bear  me  forth  as  I  adventurous  sing. 

Now  when  that  Lexington's  immortal  plain 
Received  from  martyrdom  the  sanguine  stain, 
The  patriots  rose — their  aspirations  high. 
To  seek  redress  or  in  resistance  die — 
Th'  ennobling  cause  was  stamp'd  on  every  brow, 
They  knelt  to  heaven — they  pledged  the  solemn  vow 
To  rid  the  land  of  tyrants  and  be  free. 
Or  sing  a  death-song  for  their  jubilee. 


BUNKER    HILL.  ^^ 

The  weeding  harrow  mid  the  corn  is  stay'd — 
The  hammer  soundless  on  the  anvil  laid — 
The  line  and  plummet  rest  upon  the  wall — 
The  flocks  no  longer  hear  the  shepherd's  call. 
Forsaken  reels  the  barge  along  the  shore. 
The  recent  moisture  dripping  from  the  oar ; 
The  net  remains  half  coiled  upon  the  beach — 
The  halls  are  empty  where  preceptors  teach. 
No  more  by  woodman's  axe  the  forest  jars — 
The  urchin  has  forgot  to  fix  the  bars. 
Hence  bellowing  herds  are  straying  from  the  field, 
While  war's  harsh  tocsin  round  the  land  is  peal'd. 

New  Albion  like  a  lioness  appear'd 
Robb'd  of  her  sucklings,  to  her  heart  endear'd. 
Though  scanty  were  her  means,  and  these  uncouth, 
Yet  strengthen'd  by  inviolable  truth, 
Her  nerves  became  like  ligatures  of  steel. 
Back  from  her  soil  th'  aggressors  to  repel. 

Th'  adventurous  Putnam  left  unyoked  his  plough 
Amid  the  furrow,  tyranny  to  bow. 
McClary,  Prescott,  Eustis,  Thomas,  press'd 
Toward  the  shaft  that  quiver'd  at  their  breast, 
And,  from  the  bended  bow,  the  arm  arrest. 


10  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Pearce,  son  of  Hampshire,  as  her  mountains  free, 
Panted  to  grapple  with  the  enemy ; 
Moore,  Parker,  Gardner,  Oilman,  Spencer,  Stark. 
Belted  their  arms  to  guard  the  nation's  ark 
From  the  polluting  touch  of  slavery's  hand, 
I'hat  dared  to  seize  to  bear  it  from  the  land. 

Ward  from  the  People's  delegates  received 
The  first  command,  which  merit  had  achieved. 
Th'  illustrious  Warren  is  a  beacon  light. 
That  shines  more  brilliant  as  more  dark  the  night 
The  Roman-hearted  Adams,  Hancock,  Church, 
Otis,  and   Quincy,   stand  in  Freedom's  porch 
To  guard  her  altar  and  to  feed  the  torch 
With  oil  more  pure  than  ever  vestals  pour'd 
From  hallo w'd  urns  when  they  high  Heaven  adored ; 
Never  the  flame  will  from  the  torch  expire, 
Till  nations  shall  behold  and  catch  the  fire, 
And  with  its  blaze  illuminate  the  world — 
The  rainbow-fiag  triumphantly  unfurl'd  ! 

To  keep  the  royalists  in  Boston  pent. 
Jealous  the  patriots  ev'ry  effort  bent : — 
Stricken  with  years,  Thomas  on  the  right 
At  Roxbury  stood  and  waved  his  flag  in  light. 


BUNKER   HILL.  11 

He,  in  the  Gallic  war,  that  late  was  hush'd, 
Undaunted  on  the  spear  of  danger  rush'd. 
Mayo  and  Waterbury,  Parsons,  firm 
With  him  combine  to  guard  the  precious  germ 
Of  liberty,  just  budding  from  the  earth, 
Soon  to  expand  and  send  its  branches  forth — 
These  from  Connecticut.     The  gifted  Greene 
Hails  from  the  Island  state.  Truth  stamps  his  mien 
In  splendor,  presently  his  name  will  rise, 
Like  a  new  star  ascending  in  the  skies. 

The  daring  Prescott,  central  takes  command — 
His  joy  to  dwell  where  brave  men  dread  to  stand. 
At  Scotia,  he,  with  Winslow,  learnt  the  art 
Of  war — with  courage  belted  on  his  heart. 
Reed,  Parker,  Whitcomb,  Bigelow,  and  Heath, 
Who  won  at  Lexington  a  fadeless  wreath, — 
Bridge,  Gardner,  Nixon,  Buckminster,  and  Frye, 
Each  emulous  in  glorious  deeds  to  vie — 
Enrol  with  Prescott  to  present  their  breast 
Against  the  foe  and  his  advance  arrest. 

Stark  on  the  left  arranged  near  Mystic  stream, 
His  memory  from  oblivion  to  redeem. 
McClary  tower'd,  an  Ajax  on  the  field, 
Hence,  strength  had  he  a  ponderous  sword  to  wield. 


tit  THE   BATTLE   OF 

Front  of  the  lines,  Putnam  his  standard  raised, 
At  which  all  eyes  with  pleasing  reverence  gazed — 
Three  Vines*  transplanted  to  Columbia's  shore. 
Which  Knowledge,  Liberty,  Religion  bore — 
These  flourish'd  on  its  folds ; — opposite  was  given 
In  golden  splendor — An  appeal  to  Heaven  ! 

Where  Pitcarn  struck  the  beach  to  push  his  band 
On  Lexington,  which  roused  a  suffering  land. 
The  veteran  prominent  his  station  chose, 
To  stop  all  egress  of  his  butchering  foes. 
Durkee  was  near  him  to  sustain  a  part. 
Worthy  the  drama,  bursting  from  the  heart 
When  youth  was  on  their  brows,  in  olden  time, 
They  side  by  side  in  peril  stood  sublime. 
Hall,  Knowlton,  Chester,  Scammons,  him  obeyed. 
And  Woodbridge,  chiefs  whom  never  doubt  di» 

may'd. 
Coit,  with  a  stature  to  compare  with  Jove, 
Led  saline  Neptune's  sons  their  might  to  prove ; 
Like  ocean  in  its  rage  they  left  the  Thames,t 
To  pour  upon  the  foe  the  bursting  flames. 

•  Aims  of  Connecticut  f  River  Thames,  Ct       ^ 


BUNKER   HILL.  '  13 

From  these  not  distant,  Patterson  took  post^ 
Full  in  the  path  to  block  the  British  host. 
Dow,  Little,  Warner,  Nutting,  Perkins,  Ford, 
Clark,  Trevett,  Bancroft,  high  in  daring  soar'd, 
To  carve  their  way  to  freedom  with  the  sword. 

Each  leader,  prompted  with  a  zealous  pride, 
Soon  with  a  mound  his  station  fortified. 
That  should  the  proud  ones  from  the  town  advancei 
They  might  the  battle-fire  more  deadly  glance. 

This  labor  finish'd,  restlessness  began 
To  spread  and  show  itself  from  rear  to  van^ 
A  certain  longing  fearlessly  to  rise. 
And  British  pride  and  insolence  chastise. 

Up  the  cerulean  steep,  the  sun  had  driven 
His  golden  steeds, — till  now,  sublime  m  heaven, 
Panting  they  stand — their  nostrils  breathing  flame^ 
Which  radiating,  fills  creation's  frame. 
Causing  the  earth  to  smile  with  hope  inspired, 
Fresh  like  a  bride  in  gaudy  robes  attired. 

Now  Greenleaf,  a  protector  of  the  land. 
Escaped  from  Boston  to  inform  the  band, 
That  Britain  presently  would  sally  forth. 
To  force  their  fines  or  crush  them  to  the  earth* 


14  THE    BATTLE    OF 

He,  Ward  saluted,  and  to  him  in  brief 
Stated  the  reasons  prompting  his  belief. 

Ward,  thus  to  Brooks  his  aid :  "  Ply  spur  and  rein* 
^*  And  each  commander,  marshalPd  on  the  plain, 
"  Summons  to  meet  me  at  the  centre  here, 
''  On  measures  to  consult." 

With  ready  ear 
tie  drank  the  words,  and  like  an  arrow  flew, 
4nd  soon  with  each  obtained  an  interview — 
With  Putnam,  Prescott,  Gardner,  Eustis,  Stark  5 
'Moore,    Gridley,  Woodbridge,    Buckminster,   and 

Clark; 
McClary,  Dearborn,  Robinson,— ^with  Ford 
Of  th'  artillery,  whom  strong  passions  stirred ; 
Coit,  Warner,  Perkins,  Brewer,  Bancroft,  Reed, 
And  others,  panting  for  adventurous  deed. 

Within  the  halls  of  Harvard  they  convened, 
For  now  was  science  from  her  votaries  screen'd 
By  war's  impending  cloud.     With  looks  sedate. 
Are  seen  the  chosen  guardians  of  the  state — 
Warren  and  Palmer,  Freeman,  Osgood,  White, 
Church — conservatives  of  the  people's  right ; 
Hawley  and  Otis,  Quincy,    Watson,  Orme, 
Statesmen  unshrinking  to  abide  the  storm. 


BUNKER   HILL.  15 

Greenleaf,  amid  anxiety  arose, 
The  events  of  threatening  import  to  disclose : 

^Warriors!    Compeers!   By  what  their  move 
ments  show, 
"  They  for  enlargement  meditate  a  blow. 
"  But  recently,  vast  military  stores 
"  Have  been  collecting  opposite  the  shores 
''  Of  Charlestown  on  the  hill  f — there  Pigot  stands 
"  To  watch  om-  motions,  which  the  site  commands. 
"  The  ponderous  cannon  on  their  creaking  cars, 
"  Jolting,  portentous  on  the  hearing  jars. 
''  The  streets  at  times  are  choked ; — the  din  of  arms 
"  O'er  the  rough  pavement  causes  wild  alarms. 
^  The  children  scream — maids  and  matrons  wring 
"Their  hands,  uttering  strange  shrieks  most  bar- 

rowing. 
"  The  old  men  gaze  in  silence,  while  cold  dews 
''  Drip  from  their  foreheads ;  others.  Gage  accuse 
"  Of  treachery, — their  weapons  to  obtain 
"  Deceptions — then  their  egress  to  restrain. 
^  The  whole  exhibiting  a  city  rent, 
^  Requiring  living  eloquence  to  paint — 
^  Of  which  I  hardly  sketched  a  feeble  outUne  faint. 

•  Copps  Hill. 


16  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  Soon  as  the  day-star  harbingers  the  light, 
"  An  effort  will  be  made  for  Bunker's  height. 
^Howe,   Clinton,  and  Burgoyne,   with  thousands 

strong, 
"  Have  anchored    in  the  bay.      With    clamorous 

tongue, 
"  They  ask  of  Gage — imperious  they  demand 
"  To  burst  the  barriers — overawe  the  land. 
^  I  this  from  confidential  friends  have  heard, 
^  Who  saw  them  vengeful  seize  upon  the  sword 

^  And  fealf  unsheath  it" 

"  Let  them  draw  it  forth  ! 
Putnam  abrupt.   "  We'll  prove  what  men  are  wortL 
*'  When  night  prevails,  we'll  occupy  the  hill — 
''  There  to  the  country  will  we  make  our  will — 
"  To  her  the  treasures  of  our  hearts  bequeath, 
"  Should  there  we  fall  magnificent  in  death  !" 
Ward,  cautious  in  reply :  ''  My  thoughts  suggest — 
a  'Twill  be  too  bold  to  venture  on  the  crest 
^  Of  yonder  summit.     Their  batteries,  their  fleet 
"  Would  presently  our  rude  designs  defeat. 
"  More  prudent  would  it  be  to  here  maintain 
"  Our  posts,  and  strengthen  our  defensive  chain. 


BUNKER   HILL.  17 

''  Those  hills  that  form  a  bulwark  on  our  rear, 

"  Will  us  secure  against  the  bayonet-spear ; 

"  Of  which  keen  weapon,  none  have  we  to  wield, 

^'  To  meet  them  breast  to  breast  in  open  field. 

"  Want  soon  may  force  them  through  the  lines  to 

break, 
"  And  on  the  country  an  eruption  make ; 
"  Then  be  it  ours  to  hover  on  their  flanks, 
"  And  thus  in  detail  waste,  dissect  their  ranks, 
"  Till  they,  through  weakness,  shall  begin  to  reel, 
"  And  glad  for  shelter,  turn  upon  their  heel." 

Prescott,  impatient  heard  him  to  the  close — 
He  in  the  excitement  of  his  feelings  rose  : 

"  What !  shall  we  tamely  sacrifice  the  cause  ? 
*'  I  scarce  on  measures  to  debate  would  pause. 
"  It  may  be  prudence  to  defer  till  night, 
"  Before  we  make  impression  on  the  height ; 
"  But  when  the  earliest  star  in  heaven    shall    show, 
"  I'd  forth  proceed — anticipate  the  foe — 
"  Yea,  raise  a  bulwark  even  to  the  shore, 
*'  And  on  their  fleet  the  voUied  thunders  pour. 
"  This  on  their  hearts  would  an  impression  make 
"  Of  fear,  their  close  imprisonment  to  break. 


18  THE   BATTLE    OF 

"  Let  not  our  hopes  be  placed  in  hill  or  mound, 
•'  But  in  our  sinews  let  their  strength  be  found. 
"  A  daring  movement  frequently  appals, 
"'  More  than  the  battering  of  the  assailing  balls. 
^^  While  yet  their  wounds  of  Lexington  are  green, 
*'  Our  new-raised  banner  should  sublime  be  seen } 
"  Yea,  even  hurl  defiance  at  their  rage, 
"  And  dare  them  single  combat  to  engage." 

He  sat — ^his  hand  upon  the  sword  hard  press'd, 
And  Warren  rose  with  deepening  interest. 
There  seem'd  a  strugghng  effort  in  his  soul, 
Whether  V  express  his  thoughts,  or  them  control. 
Disguise,  his  duty  to  the  cause  forbade, 
And  thus  his  doubtings  openly  he  laid 

"  I  know  that  each  would  an  oblation  give, 
"  [f  free  his  country  might  from  thraldom  live  ; 
*'  But  we  should  aim  to  make  them  purchase  dear, 
''  The  drops  of  blood  to  sprinkle  on  our  bier. 
*'  Is  there  not  danger,  while  we  keenly  feel, 
"  To  rush  too  far  our  bosoms  on  their  steel  ? 
"  What  are  our  means  the  onset  to  begin  ? 
''  The  foe  is  strong  in  heavy  discipline, 
^  While  scarce  have  we  a  bayonet  to  repel 
^  The  deadly  charge,  in  which  their  troops  excel 


BUNKER   HILL.  19 

^'  Admit  we  should  succeed  t'  intrench  the  height, 
"  We  could  not  hold  it  from  their  grasping  might ; 
"  Soon  would  their  vessels  batter  down  the  walls, 
"  Too  slender  to  resist  their  bombs  and  balls ; 
^  While  opposite  from  Boston  would  explode 
"  Huge  trains  of  fire.    Alas !  I  sad  forebode, 
"  Should  we  our  standard  plant  on  yonder  hill, 
"  Without  effect,  our  brightest  veins  would  spill. 

"  Should  we  an  overthrow  but  suffer  now, 
"  Would  not  our  country  in  subjection  bow  ? 
'^'Twould   quench  the  ardor  that  now  burns  to 

heaven, 
''  And  slavery's  yoke  would  to  her  neck  be  given. 

"  As  to  ourselves,  an  exit  of  disgrace 
'^  Is  ours,  if  we  our  onward  path  retrace. 
"  We  fall — or  twdne  our  brows  with  laurel-wreath. 
''  Our  lot  is  cast — ^'tis  liberty  or  death." 

"  Liberty  or  death !  our  choice  is  made — 
"  We  freemen  live,  or  die  upon  our  blade !'' 

They  thus  responsive.    Warren  thus  proceeds. 
With  us  our  country  either  lives  or  bleeds ; 
^  Hence  unborn  millions,  as  our  fate  may  be, 
^  Wil.  herd  with  slaves,  or  stand  majestic,  free— 


20  THE    BATTLE    Ojr 

"  How  rude  are  all  our  means  to  hurl  the  ball ! 
"  The  canisters,  th'  inflaming  dust,  how  small ! 
"  How  soon  will  these  exhaust  upon  the  field — 
^  Then  driven  to  despair,  the  cause  is  seaPd ! 
''  Yet  is  our  strength  sufficient  for  us  here, 
"  To  gall  their  flanks  or  to  annoy  their  rear, 
"  Should  from  the  city  they  attempt  again, 
"  Audacious,  to  pollute  the  open  plain. 

"  Soon  from  the  south  will  Washington  arrive 
"  With  ample  means  to  storm  the  royal  hive. 
^  It  seems  portentous  in  our  present  state, 
"  T'  advance,  and  war  upon  the  edge  of  fate. 

"  But  should  it  here  be  otherwise  decreed, 
"  I'll  follow  where  the  bravest  chief  may  lead, 
"  And  struggle  unto  death  t'  achieve  the  deed. 
"  For  when  decision  shall  by  vote  be  given, 
"  Then  with  our  swords  must  we  appeal  to  heaven ; 
"  As  different  branches  tend  towards  the  stream, 
"  So  must  our  minds  converge  upon  the  theme. 
"  Yea,  must  our  hearts  be  moulded  into  one, 
''  And  what  we  wilL  determine  shall  be  done." 

A  pause  ensued — a  pausing  that  expressed 
A  solemn  feehng  moving  in  the  breast, 


BUNKER   HILL.  21 

Convinced  the  purest  motives  were  his  aim. 
Yet  still,  unquenchable  they  felt  the  flame 
Of  martial  ardor  inwardly  to  glow, 
To  press  the  movement  and  out-dare  the  foe. 

At  length  the  hoary-headed  Gardner  speaks. 
While  a  deep  impulse  flushes  in  his  cheeks : 

"  There  dwells  in  Warren's  voice  a  caution  wise, 
^  Yet  still  I  feel  to  grapple  for  the  prize. 
"  Are  not  our  troops  desirous  to  proceed, 
"  And  do  some  exploit  worthy  future  meed  ? 
"  They  murmur,  restiff*  in  their  present  state — 
^'  For  active  orders  they  impatient  wait. 
"  While  high  their  pulses  with  excitement  beat, 
''  Shall  we  not  cherish  their  ambitious  heat  ? 
"  Or  let  a  frost  upon  their  souls  congeal, 
"  Till  nothing  they  of  aspiration  feel  ? 
"  No,  I  would  cautiously  this  night  repair, 
'^  Construct  a  mound — erect  our  standard  there. 
'  But  should  we  suffer  Gage  to  trench  the  height, 
^  Without  an  effort  made  to  test  our  might, 
^  Soon  would  a  loss  of  confidence  succeed, 
*  And  wan  despair  upon  the  bosom  feed. 

"  I  know  our  means  are  limited — ^but  stiD 
"  A  risk  is  run,  defying  human  skill. 


22  THE    BA.TTLE    OF 

''  Often  niy  rifle,  with  a  single  ball, 

^  Has  caused  a  panther  and  a  wolf  to  fall : 

"  And  every  warrior  must  reserve  his  fire, 

"  Till  sure  is  he,  at  least,  shall  one  expire. 

''  To  sight  the  fatal  bead,  we  them  excel, 

"  Hence,  we  with  lead,  the  bayonet  can  repel. 

"  My  mind  is  fixM,  unalterably  to  move, 
"  And  there  th'  unbending  of  our  purpose  prove. 
"  Assured  I  feel,  that  we  shall  strike  a  blow, 
"  Long  on  the  page  of  history  to  show — 
"  When  tyrants  shall  have  met  their  overthrow." 

He  ended.    Putnam  thus :  "  I  move,  at  once, 
"  That  now  the  council  shall  their  voice  pronounce-- 
"  Whether  that  we  upon  our  arms  shall  stand, 
"  Or  do  a  feat  t'  electrify  the  land." 

The  vote  is  cast.    Few  in  dissent  were  given, 
While  all  for  rectitude  appeaPd  to  heaven. 

When  the  decision  to  proceed  was  done. 
The  whole  united  in  the  cause  as  one. 
Omjcard  I  the  motto  ev'ry  soul  express'd. 
And  for  their  bleeding  country,  bared  their  breast 
All  felt  desirous  to  compose  the  van. 
To  plant  the  flag,  and  consummate  the  plan. 


BUNKER   HILL.  23 

With  prompt  decision,  these  their  wish  obtain'd — 
More  rich  the  boon  than  golden  treasures  gain'd — 
For  Ward,  obedient  to  the  pubHc  will. 
Selected  Putnam  to  command  the  hill ; 
Prescott,  whom  none  in  enterprise  excelPd, 
The  station  next  in  due  gradation  held. 
Gridley  receives  th'  important  trust,  to  form 
The  bulwarks,  to  resist  the  coming  storm. 
To  Gardner  is  assign'd,  the  post  to  stand 
Reserv'd — to  strike,  when  pressure  should  demand ; 
Trevett,  his  second  officer — ^his  son, 
Edwin,  will  him  support  in  toils  begun — 
He,  not  as  yet  the  tented  field  has  gain'd — 
Edwin  with  his  Martha  is  detain'd. 

With  Putnam,  Prescott,  is  the  hoary  Frye 
Detach'd — companion  of  their  chivalry  5 
With  whom   are  Nutting,  Walker,   Brooks,  and 

Bridge, 
The  first,  adventurous  to  approach  the  ridge. 
Scarce  fifteen  summers  Willicer  had  seen, 
Still  manhood's  thought  was  stamp'd  upon  his  mien , 
A  widow's  son — her  only  child  was  he — 
phe  sent  him  forth  to  die  or  live — ^his  country  free. 


24  THE    BATTLE    OF 

The  sun  soon  set  in  loveliness.     The  dew 
Wove  a  pellucid  vail,  which  towards  it  drew 
His  last  exquisite  rays  of  streaming  gold. 
Causing  the  web  choice  colors  to  unfold 
Prismatic ; — earth  appeared  with  heaven  to  vie, 
While  warblers  sung  their  evening  minstrelsy. 
Descending  slow,  this  gorgeous  vail  is  spread. 
First  o'er  those  hills  that  highest  lift  their  head 
Others,  through  modesty  appear  to  stoop, 
While  others  seem  retiring  in  a  group. 
As  if  its  melting  texture  was  too  rare, 
For  them  of  earthly  origin  to  wear. 
Presently  the  whole  receding  fades. 
Wrapped  in  the  folding  of  incumbent  shades. 

Stars  one  by  one  with  misty  Hght  show  forth. 
Which  through  the  darkness  glimmers  on  the  earth 
Screening  the  patriots  from  the  prying  gaze 
Of  those  prepared  with  cannonry  to  blaze. 

So  eager  were  the  heroes  to  engage. 
Time  seem'd  to  move  like  slow  decrepit  age. 
Scarce  the  first  star  displays  in  heaven  its  lamp, 
When  the  battalions  silently  decamp. 
Rapid,  yet  cautiously  they  trail  the  heath. 
Controlling  e'en  the  motions  of  their  breath. 


BUNKER   HILL.  25 

A  closer  curtain  veils  the  gems  of  night. 

As  thoy,  advancing,  climb  the  towering  height 

Thus  far  accomplish'd,  was  the  enterprize 
Encouraging — to  keep  th'  ambition  on  the  rise ; 
But  now  a  pause — perplexity  ensues — 
A  choice  of  hills  produced  from  different  views — 
Prescott  is  anxious  farther  to  proceed 
Than  Bunker,  and  to  fortify  at  Breed, 
As  being  nearer  to  assail  the  foe. 
For  the  offensive,  burns  to  strike  the  blow  5 
Putnam  inclines  at  Bunker  to  abide. 
As  there  assault  could  better  be  defied. 
Because,  above  the  neighboring  hills  around, 
It  rear'd  its  head  in  majesty  profound. 

Gridley  impatient :  "  See,  the  midnight  star, 
^'  Throws  from  the  front  of  heaven  its  beams  afar' 
^  If  that  decision  longer  be  delay 'd, 
^  We  shall  in  all  our  weakness  be  betray M." 

"  Just  are  thy  words."     Thus  Putnam  in  reply. 
^  We  first  at  Prescott's  hill  will  fortify, 
^  And  Bunker  next,  that,  should  we  fail  at  Bre^d, 
"  Here  we  in  force  may  rally  and  succeed — 
"  For  this  position  lying  to  the  west. 
"  ts  nearer  Gardner  in  reserve  at  rest, 


26  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  Hence  more  convenient,  should  th'  occasion  cal\, 
''  Refreshments  to  receive,  or  men,  or  ball." 

He  scarce  had  said,  when  Gridley  with  his  band 
Of  engineers  began  t'  inspect  the  land. 
Of  Bastide  he  at  Lewisburg,  with  skill, 
Had  learnt  the  art  to  circumscribe  the  hill — 
And  at  Cape  Breton  to  direct  the  shell, 
Till  at  its  object  it  exploding  fell. 
He  saw  at  once,  according  to  its  site. 
The  plan  best  suited  to  defend  the  height. 
He  soon  the  outline  of  a  rampart  laid. 
Secure  from  danger  of  an  enfilade. 
From  this,  with  judgment  he  a  trace  drew  forth, 
Extending  down  the  steep  toward    the  north 
To  join  a  wide  morass,  where  in  the  strife 
Should  any  venture,  founders  with  his  life. 

Putnam  and  Prescott  were  the  first  to  wield 
The  spade  and  mattock,  to  intrench  the  field ; 
The  example  animated,  thrilPd  the  soul. 
An  emulation  kindhng  through  the  whole. 
So  fast  their  implements  ascend  and  fall. 
The  earth  appears  to  open  at  their  call : 

As  when  that  prudent  ants  with  matchless  skill, 
Select  a  site  upon  a  favorite  hill 


BUNKER   HILL.  27 

To  fashion  forth  a  dwelling,  to  defend 

Themselves  and  young,  when  wintry  blasts  ascend- 

They  presently  in  different  bands  divide, 

That  more  effectually  might  be  appHed 

Their  mutual  strength  :  these  scientific  trace 

The  various  chambers — those  overturn,  displace 

The  particles  of  sand,  to  them,  each  grain 

A  weighty  rock,  'neath  which,  they  reeling  strain. 

Others  scoop  out  the  finer  earth ;  while  some 

A  pebble  undermine — to  aid  them,  come 

Hands  excavating  near : — it  jars  !  they  call 

To  those  around  them  to  observe  its  fall — 

Headlong  it  plunges  from  its  tiny  height. 

While  seem  they  all  as  cheering  with  delight 

They  roll  it  onward  to  the  future  porch, 

To  form  a  pillar  to  sustain  the  arch. 

From  morn  till  noon,  from  noon  till  setting  sun, 

Thus  unremittingly  they  labor  on. 

They  show  the  same  alacrity  at  night. 

As  when  they  fresh  commenced  at  early  light* 

A  busy  multitude,  a  thronging  crowd, 

With  no  command  apparently  allow'd. 

Yet  all  in  harmony ; — ambitious  each, 

The  altar  raised  by  public  faith  to  reach  2 


28  THE    BATTLE    01 

So  even  thus  th'  untiring  patriots  wrought, 
While  scarce  distinction  in  the  ranks  was  taught. 
A  unity  of  sentiment — design. 
Causes  uprightness  Hke  the  plummet's  line — 
They  feel  that  in  their  hands  their  all  is  placed — 
Hope,  life,  their  country  honor'd  or  disgraced. 
It  seem'd  their  nerves,  as  arduous  they  pursued 
The  work,  with  strength  Herculean  were  renew'd 
From  every  brow,  the  reeking  sweat,  in  streams, 
Pours  forth  like  unction  that  the  soul  redeems. 
In  muffled  silence  they  subdue  their  breath, 
As  if  commanded  by  the  voice  of  death. 
They  lose  all  passing  circumstance  of  time, 
Bent  on  achievements  glorious  and  sublime. 
Their  motions  they  control  so  calm,  so  still, 
That  not  an  echo  travels  from  the  hill: 
Hard  by,  upon  a  lofty  elm  is  heard. 
Unconscious  of  their  toil,  the  evening  bird. 
The  chirping  cricket  ceases  not  to  sing. 
While  flits  the  fire-fly  on  eccentric  wing. 
The  navy  anchored  in  the  stream  so  near. 
That  e'en  a  falling  pebble  they  might  hear, 
Dream  not  that  the  Columbians  hold  the  key, 
That  locks  the  pass  in  jealous  secrecy. 


BUNKER   HILL.  29 

The  old  men  feel  a  new  creation  rare. 
Which  seems,  at  once,  their  sinews  to  repair. 
To  manhood's  stately  prime  the  stripling  rose — 
Conceptions  that  in  peace  had  torpid  froze. 
Burst  into  life  original  and  bold — 
More  hazardous  the  deed,  more  prompt  the  mean& 
unfold.  / 

Prescott  and  Brooks,  mistrustful  that  the  foe 
Might  their  designs  by  scouts  or  traitors  know. 
With  circumspection  trace  the  shores  around — 
But  hear  they  nothing,  save  the  pleasing  sound 
Of  gentle  ripples  playing  on  the  beach, 
With  polish'd  pebbles  just  within  their  reach — 
Perceiving  all  in  safety,  they  return. 
To  cause  the  labor  of  defence  to  burn. 

At  length  the  glimpses  of  the  morning  show — 
Still  all  is  wrapped  in  solitude  below. 
Yet  Prescott  notwithstanding  must  proceed 
Once  more  to  scout  the  Hues,  doubting  the  deed, 
But  that  the  enemy  had  them  descried. 
While  they  absorbed,  their  energies  applied. 

Again  with  Brooks  he  winds  along  the  shore — 
They  hark  to  catch  the  dipping  of  an  oar — 


30  THE   BATTLE    OF 

The  whisper  of  a  sentinel  to  hear,  > 

Or  in  his  haste,  despatched  a  messenger. 

AlVs  well ! — from  ship  to  ship  is  pass'd  around, 
Which  Hke  rich  music  makes  the  pulse  rebound. 
Prescott  astonish'd  now  believes  it  true, 
That  their  position  not  a  Briton  knew. 
With  eagerness  he  hurries  to  impart 
The  tidings  to  inspire  and  brace  the  heart. 

Putnam  to  Prescott :  "  While  the  orient  lamp 
"  Lingers,  PU  course  it  backward  to  the  camp — 
"  Invoke  the  troops  our  banner  to  support, 
"  When  Gage  to  war's  fierce  struggle  shall  resort. 
"  My  steed,  through  lor^g  excessive  toil  grows  weak, 
"  Hence  I  another  for  the  strife  must  seek. 
"  Soon,  soon  may  we  expect  to  hear  the  sound 
"  Of  cannonry  reverberate  around, 
"  To  fill  thy  soul  with  energy  profound." 

Prescott  with  deference  waved  to  him  his  sword, 
For  rein'd  the  chief  as  he  pronounced  the  word. 

Now  when  from  Lexington  commotion  spread 
Prom  hill  to  hill  like  an  eruption  dread, 
Flush'd  with  a  manly  bloom,  young  Gardner  rose.* 
To  urge  his  sire  from  turmoil  to  repose. 


BUNKER   HILL.  31 

While  with  his  arms  would  he  their  wrongs  redress- 
Edwin  (so  bare  the  means)  was  weaponless. 
The  path  to  join  the  army  led  direct 
Apast  the  dwelling,  where  his  souPs  elect 
Abides,  blushing  with  love,  as  when  soft  dew 
Weeps  on  a  rose,  just  opening  into  view. 
Though  the  blest  passion  nestles  in  her  heart, 
Yet  for  her  country  tears  of  anguish  start. 
Hard  by  her  grandsire  fell,  through  toil  outdone, 
When  Percy  on  return  past  Lexington — 
An  ancient  war-tube  'gainst  an  elm  reclined. 
And  sword,  a  captured  royalist  resign'd. 

Wistful  she  gazes  at  the  cottage  style — 
His  own  Martha ! — mark'd  a  tear,  a  smile, 
Mingle  and  chase  each  other  as  in  play. 
Like  April  sporting  in  the  beams  of  May. 
She  spies  her  lover  winding  round  the  hill — 
His  step  elastic — on  his  brow — his  imll — 
'Tis  love  united  with  a  martial  air. 
Exhibiting  the  stamp  of  honor  there. 
He  one  deep  parting,  lingering  look  must  speak, 
And  then  the  station  of  his  father  seek. 
His  blue  eye  glistens  with  the  hght  of  fame. 
Yet  mingled,  chasten'd  with  the  tender  flame: 


32  THE    BATTLE    OF 

At  times,  a  stern  indignity  is  seen  — 

At  times  a  languor  overspreads  his  mien 

He  marks  her  lovely  as  the  hly,  when 

It  bow^s  its  head,  nevs^-w^ash'd  with  heaven's  sweet  rain. 

She  stoops  her  forehead,  as  he  hastens  near, 

To  wipe  unseen  love's  consecrated  tear — 

In  vain — another  quick  supplies  its  place, 

Each  leaving  as  it  falls  a  silver  trace. 

He  clasps  her  to  his  heart — in  rapture  lost — 
They  feel  translated,  from  all  crudeness  drossM. 
He  breaks  with  gentle  violence  away. 
While  dashing  from  his  eye  the  gathering  spray. 

"  I  crave  one  moment,  Edwin,  to  bestow 
''  My  blessing — parting  blessing. — ^Well,  you  know, 
''  I  not  thy  noble  purpose  would  appal, 
"  E'en  should'st  thou  for  thy  country  (heaven  forbid 

it!)  fall. 
"  Our  spirits  soon  would  mingle  where  the  bless'd 
"  Bask  in  beatitude  with  none  to  harm — molest. 

"  But  without  weapons  how  canst  thou  sustain 
"  Thy  heart's  proud  bearing  on  the  dubious  plain. 
"  Dost  thou  unarm'd  expect  to  curb  the  foe  ? 
"  Alas !  thy  blood  will  unavailing  flow, 
"  And  I  shall  never  cease  to  heave  the  sighs  of  wo.'' 


BUNKER   HILL  33 

"  Incensed,  my  father  at  the  first  alarms 
"  Pursued  th'  aggressors  with  our  only  arms-^ 
^  A  long-used  rifle.    Him  persuade  must  I, 
^  To  yield  it  me,  and  I  his  place  supply. 
^  Him,  age  requires  the  buckler  to  resign, 
^  And  I  must  make  his  dauntless  courage  mine : 
^  Or  should  he  fix'd  in  resolution  be 
^'  To  lead  his  troops  against  the  enemy, 
u  I?!!  grapple  with  the  foe,  of  weapons,  him 
"  Despoil — the  land  from  thraldom  to  redeem." 

"  My  lover's  father  never  will  comply — 
^'  He  with  the  cause  will  either  live  or  die. 
"  But,  Edwin,  thee  can  I  provide  with  one, 
*'  Which  hath  avenged  the  blood  of  Lexington  ; 
^  As  back  from  Concord  haughty  Percy  came, 
*  My  hoary  grandsire,  though  decrepit,  lame, 
^  Limpt  on  his  crutches  to  yon  sheltering  wall, 
"  And  while  my  mother  aided  him  with  ball, 
''  He  blazed  with  centred  aim  the  winged  lead — 
p*  At  every  flash  he  bow'd  a  royal  head. 
j^'Twas  wonderful  how  firm  his  hand  became — 
p  A  jf  uthful  vigor  seem'd  to  brace  his  frame. 


34  THE   BATTLE    OF 

''  But  ah,  th'  exertion  done, — ^he  could  no  more — 
"  The  blood  fast  curdled  round  his  bosom's  core. 
"  He,  as  I  rested  on  my  lap  his  head, 
"  Clasping  my  hand,  to  me,  thus  faltering  said : 

"  ^  I  know,  Martha,  thy  soft  heart  is  placed 
*^ '  On  one,  upon  whose  brow  a  mind  is  traced — 
u  4  Who  never  will  endure  to  live  a  slave, 
^' '  But  rather  first,  would  seek  an  honor'd  grave : 
'' '  Tell  him  that  I  this  legacy  bequeath, 
'' '  That  he  with  chaplets  may  his  temples  wreath — 
^' '  The  best,  the  richest  boon  that  I  can  give, 
" '  And  he  with  grateful  deference  receive.' 

"  He  sunk — recover'd — blest  me  as  his  child, 
^  Then  closed  his  eyes  in  rest,  like  summer  evening 
mild. 

#  #  #  #  « 

"It  makes  me  weep  to  think  his  dying  scene — 
"  But  yet  how  great,  how  glorious,  how  serene  !" 

"  My  angel  fair  one !  thy  bright  soul  to  me 
''  Will  shine  and  light  the  path  to  chivalry. 
"  More  dear  thy  grahdsire's  legacy  I  hold. 
"  Than  mines  of  diamonds  set  in  crowns  of  gold— 


BUNKER   HILL.  3f 

I 
I 

I  ^  In  crowns  of  gold ! — the  blighting,  hateful  name 
i "  Enters  my  heart,  and  heats  it  to  a  flame — 
I**  A  crown  it  is  that  milHons  now  deplore — 
\  ^  It  makes  our  country  bleed  at  every  pore. 

"  But  also,  I  perceive,  thy  hand  sustains 
I '^  A  sword?" 

"  Ah,  yes."     She  ai'tless  thus  explains 
I  ^  Accept  this  likewise — it  perhaps  may  be 
"  Thine  only  guardian  in  extremity — 
;"My  father's  spoil — a  Briton  wore  tjie  blade, 
I "  Till  he,  surrendering,  was  a  captive  made. 
''Let  me  begirt  thee  as  a  knight  in  state. 
"  That  thou  may'st  think  of  me,  and  emulate 
"  My  parent,  honor'd  with  a  martyr's  grave-- 
"'Tis  bliss  supreme  to  die  than  wear  the  yoke-  -a 
slave."  ' 
While  that  she  belts  the  sword  upon  his  thigh, 
Edwin,  with  looks  description  to  defy. 
Shows  a  rapt  impulse  to  his  soul  is  given. 
Chaste  as  the  unsullied  purity  of  heaven. 
He  partly  draws  the  steel — "  I  cannot  speak — 
*'  Yet  bursts  my  heart  if  I  in  silence  keep ! 
"Martha!  think  of  thee  ? — in  war,  thy  name 
''Will  nerve  my  arm,  electrify  my  frame. 


36  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Is 

^'  L05  should  I  fall — in  death  I'll  think  of  thee — 
"  I  visible  shall  then  thy  spirit  see, 

"  And  fall  to  sleep  serene  as  slumbering  infancy." 

#  #  *  *  # 

A  pause — a  gazing — ^holy  pause  ensues. 
Breathless — unutterable : — translated  views 
Overwhelm  the  soul,  vs^hile  tears  the  eyes  sujffuse. 

"  Hark !  list !  the  bugle  sounds  from  hill  to  hill ! 
"  How  burn  my  passions !— how  my  pulses  thrill ! 
''  Thy  prayers  will  speed  to  heaven  on  angel  wings— 
"  Listen ! — Farewell ! — warV  pealing  tocsin  rings  I   ^ 
"  Throned  on  my  heart  shalt  thou  abiding  dwell, 
'^  Alike  on  earth — in  heaven !  Farewell!  Farewell P 

He  let  a  tear  upon  her  bosom  fall, 
And  hasten'd  to  obey  his  country's  call. 
Anxious  she  kept  her  eye  upon  him  bent. 
In  which  hope,  grief,  joy,  gratitude,  were  blent. 
She  look'd  to  heaven — the  look  devout,  might  bring 
A  seraph  down,  upon  a  sightless  wing 
T'  attend  th'  invocation  of  her  soul, 
To  make  the  bruisings  of  her  country  whole — 
To  shield  her  lover  from  impending  harms. 
And  blest  return  him  to  her  longing  arms. 


1 


BUNKER   HILL.  37 

Edwin  soon  joins  his  father  in  the  field — 
Finding  him  fix'd — more  hard  than  flint  to  yield, 
He,  by  his  orders,  posts  upon  the  rear. 
While  Trevett  in  the  centre  plants  his  spear. 
Reserved — ^to  move  vs^hen  pressure  should  appear. 


BUNKER    HILL 


Canto  II. 


BUNKER    HILL 


Argument. — Boston  common  converted  into  a  British  encampment- 
Gage  in  a  markee  spread  beneath  the  Boston  elm,  explains  the  situation 
of  the  country  to  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne,  who,  on  the  day  previous, 
had  arrived  from  England,  and  just  landed — The  shipping  and  batteries 
open  upon  the  American  lines — Death  of  Willicer — Putnam  returns — 
Warren  arrives  The  British  under  Howp  cross  the  Charles  river — The 
surrounding  eminences  crowded  with  anxious  spectators — Hancock  and 
Adams. 

The  scene  's  laid  on  Boston  common,  Copps  Hill,  and  in  Charlestown. 

The  time  is  about  ten  houfs — ^from  daylight  till  noon — June  17th. 


Canto  II. 

Now  from  her  bed  of  waves  the  morn  ascends, 
While  many  a  tiny  cloud  around  her  bends, 
Like  waiting  deities  with  radiant  plumes. 
Which  she  in  turn  with  golden  smile  illumes. 
j  The  shadows  vanish  like  a  fairy  dream, 
\  When  Transport  wakens  mid  some  glorious  theme. 
1  Lo,  blithesome  spring  m  all  her  robes  is  seen, 
I  To  dance  with  summer  on  the  verdant  green. 


42  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Who  in  the  lovehest  garniture  appears. 
Tranced  with  the  Hving  music  of  the  spheies. 

But  Boston  feels  not  th'  inspiring  glow — 
Her  heart  is  sick — she  heaves  the  sighs  of  wo. 
A  withering  enemy  like  a  serpent  twines 
Around  her  bowers,  and  violates  her  shrines — 
Her  mall,  an  emerald  gem,  where  art  had  traced 
The  lines  of  nature  with  exquisite  taste — 
When  once  beheld  and  pictured  in  the  mind, 
Deep  on  the  memory,  is  wrapped,  enshrined. 
Not  Eden's  garden  scarce  could  be  more  fair 
At  morn,  noon,  or  sunset  loveliness ; — where 
Young  Innocence  of  late,  in  flowers  array'd. 
In  wild  free  gambols  round  its  borders  play'd — 
Where  lovers  oft  had  interchanged  those  sighs, 
Which  from  the  heart  in  holy  incense  rise — 
This  happy  spot,  but  recently  so  blest. 
Is  now  by  feet  of  hostile  legions  pressM. 

Mid  the  wide  field,  a  solitary  elm 
Spreads  its  vast  shade  when  sultry  heats  o'erwhelm 
The  drooping  earth — a  tree  revered-^a  fane. 
Where  sylvan  deities  in  moonlight  reign — 
Be\ieath  this  sacred  elm,  in  gorgeous  state, 
A  tont  is  spread,  where  royal  chiefs  debate : 


BUNKER   HILL.  43 

Gage,  Willard,  Clinton,  Burgoyne,  and  Howe, 
Imperious  scorn  depictured  on  their  brow ; 
Those  mentioned  last,  the  day  preceding,  came 
From  Albion's  Isle  to  scathe  the  land  with  flame. 
Grant,  Abercrombie,  Rawdon,  Percy,  known 
As  stately  pillars  to  support  the  throne. 

Gage  by  a  restlessness  not  well  disguised, 
Show'd  that  he  danger  inwardly  surmised ; 
And  yet  a  haughtiness  his  features  had. 
As  if  that  he  would, like  a  falcon  mad, 
Pounce  on  his  victim,  who  should  dare  suggest, 
That  doubts  or  shadows  floated  o'er  his  breast : 

"  Most  noble  Clinton,  Burgoyne,  and  Howe, 
"  It  yields  us  pleasure  to  sahite  you  now, 
"  Not  that  we  cherish  apprehensions  here, 
"But    that    you've    safe    commenced    your    high 

career — 
"  Escaped  the  dangers  of  the  treacherous  main, 
"  To  add  new  glories  to  Britannia's  reign  ; 
"  For  yet  perhaps  some  trophies  may  be  won, 
"  Except  at  th'  announcing  of  your  names  they  run, 
"  Their  cause  in  ruins  and  their  hopes  undone. 
''  At  Concord,  Lexington,  we  made  them  feel 
^  The  deadly  keenness  of  the  British  steel. 


44  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  And  while  the  terror  of  our  arms  was  rife, 
"  To  all  I  tender'd  pardon  for  their  life — 
"  All,  save  two  rebels,  whose  inveterate  hate 
^'  Would  gladly  sap  the  royal  dome  of  state — 
"  Hancock  and  Adams — ^blasphemous  have  they 
'^  Dared  'gainst  His  august  Highness  to  inveigh — 
"  To  speak,  to  trifle  Hghtly  with  his  name, 
"  As  if  from  common  elements  he  came ! 
"  So  bold  their  treason,  they  proclaim  aloud 
"  To  cow^ans  that  compose  the  vulgar  crowd, 
"To  monarchs  longer  not  to  bend  the  knee — 
"  Fearless  they  publish  that  mankind  are  free  ! 

"  Should  wretches  such  as  these  pollute  the  earth, 
"  To  bring  a  train  of  hydra  passions  forth  ? 
"  No  :  hunted  should  they  be  as  wolves  of  prey, 
"  Till  that  extinct  the  race  was  lopp'd  away. 
"  And  Hawley,  Otis,  never  I  forgive — 
"  'Twould  murder  kings  to  suffer  them  to  live. 

"  Behold  the  poisonous  fruits  these  traitors  bear  ! — 
'  This  city  seems  a  tigress  in  her  lair. 

Ready  to  spring  and  seize  upon  our  throat, 
•^  Whilst  howling  dire  rebellion's  hellish  note. 
"  But  wrench'd  have  I  the  talons  from  her  claws, 
^  And  broke  the  teeth  from  out  her  foaming  jaws. 


BUNKER   HILL.  45 

"  By  proclamation  widely  I  promulged, 
''  That  all  with  liberty  should  be  indulged 
"  To  leave  the  city  with  their  wives,  their  all, 
"  If  first  would  they,  obedient  to  our  call, 
^'  From  secret  coverts,  bring  their  weapons  forth, 
•'  And  in  our  presence,  pile  them  on  the  earth. 

"  They  presently  complied.     And  now  forsooth, 
-'  They  rail — complain  I've  sacrificed  the  truth, 
'  Because  1  bar  them  yet  with  caution's  key, 
"  And  will  not  open  them  the  city  free. 
"  Adams  has  dared  rebellious  to  upbraid 
"  That  I  have  honor's  sanctity  betray'd — 
"  The  period  when — I  carefully  suppressed — 
"  In  that  must  we  consult  our  interest. 
"  Retain'd  we  here  no  shield  for  our  defence, 
"  Would  not  yon  circling  hills  with  violence 
"  Rain  globes  of  fire  ?  But  now  their  dearest  all, 
^'  With  us  must  be  protected — stand  or  fall. 

"  'Tis  my  intention  on  this  coming  night, 
"  To  cross  the  Charles  and  occupy  the  height 
Ij  ?That  overlooks  the  plains,  or  soon  may  we 

^  Be  hemm'd  on  all  sides  in  extremity. 
j  "  Perhaps  we  err  in  making  this  delay — 
*  But  we  by  this  their  frenzy  will  allay, 


46  THE   BA.TTLE    OF 

"  Till  on  the  summit  we  our  flag  display. 

"  None  who  the  treasure  of  their  life  regard, 

"  Would  dare  our  onward  movement  to  retard. 

'^  We'd  sweep  them  hence,  as  foam  upon  the  sea 

"  Is  swept,  when  tempests  hold  their  revelry. 

"  All  things  have  I  in  readiness  arranged 

"  T'  advance,  when  day  shall  be  to  darkness  changed. 

"  But  who  approaches  on  yon  flying  steed  ? 
"  He  bears  some  message  of  important  deed — 
a  'Tis  Pigot ! — Ay,    the  traitors  are  overthrown — 
"  Adams, — ^Hancock! — In  chains  shall  they  be  shown, 
"  Awe  to  impress ; — then,  for  their  crimes,  atone 
"  On  yonder  branch  of  this,  their  favorite  tree — 

"  But  lo,  he  comes ! — 

a  We're  all  anxiety — 
"  Say,  where  did  you  seize  the  rebels  ? — speak  ! — 
"Methinks  there's  color  wanting  in  your  cheek. 
"  And  did  they  show  resistance  ? — Who  opposed  ?   1 
"  At  once  be  all  particulars  disclosed." 

Pigot  stood  lost — not  knowing  what  to  say — 
The  salutation  took  his  thoughts  away. 
At  length  he  gain'd  the  compass  of  his  mind, 
The  needle  pointing  to  the  theme  design'd :  - 


BUNKER   HILL.  47 

^  I  come  not  here  to  speak  of  traitors  now. 
^  Except  their  frowning  works  on  Bunker's  brow"— 

"  On  Bunker^s  brow  /" — each  starthng  voice,  as 
one. 
Pronounced  abrupt,  alarm'd — in  unison. 

"  As  slow  the  morn  dispelPd  the  lingering  night, 
''  Their  growing  works  surprised  our  dubious  sight 
I"  At  first  we  thought  a  mist  was  on  the  hill, 
"  For  such  it  seem'd,  muffled  in  silence  still. 
"  So  circumspect  were  they,  we  heard  no  sound, 
:"  Though  walk'd  our  sentries  on  the  beach  around. 

But  doubt  and  fiction  soon  to  truth  gave  way, 
''  And  all  was  bustle  to  begin  the  fray. 
"  I  mounted — put  my  charger  to  his  pride, 
"  And  soon  I  found  me  at  your  lordship's  side.'' 

Hf.  ceased.     A  pause — solemnity  ensued, 
A.S  wnen  the  mind  is  suddenly  subdued. 
The  unexpected  tidings  check'd  the  heart, 
And  caused  the  deep  warm  color  to  depart. 
They  strove  by  outward  signs  to  hide  the  pain — 
But  hard,  how  hard  is  nature  to  restrain ! 
Strive  as  we  may,  she  soon  will  break  the  screen— 
n  spite  of  art  our  passions  will  be  seen. 


u 


43  THE    BATTLE    OF 

At  length  th'  emotion  passM  from  off  the  cheek. 
And  Howe  with  consequence  hegan  to  speak : 

"  These  tidings  but  our  purposes  fulfil — 
"  To  sally  forth  and  occupy  the  hill. 
"  'Tis  true,  not  here  can  we  expect  to  build 
''  Our  fame  with  trophies  won  upon  the  field — 
"  To  curb  a  rebel  host,  is  not  as  when 
"  Proud  nations  battle  and  we  meet  with  men ; 
"  But  still  our  duty  prompts,  when  slaves  dare  grieve 
"  And  murmur  at  the  tasks  their  masters  give, 
"  A  merited  chastisement  to  bestow, 
"  And  bend  them  humble  in  obedience  low. 

"  This  purpose  to  effect,  with  your  consent, 
^*  I,  with  our  veterans,  on  some  deed  intent, 
"  Will  overcome  the  summit — scour  the  plain, 
"  Till  not  a  rebel  shall  in  arms  remain. 
"  'Twill  yield  the  troops  a  grateful  interlude 
"  From  sameness  here,  where  melancholies  brood 
"  And  pour  a  green  contagion  in  the  blood." 

"  I  hail  thy  prompt  decision,  gallant  Howe." 
Gage  with  a  flush'd  excitement  on  his  brow. 
"  My  noble  lord  of  Percy  will  combine 
^'  His  force  with  yours,  and  Leslie,  Pitcarn,  join. 


BUNKER   HILL  49 

''  Pigot,  our  batteries,  opposite,  explode — 

"  For  I  intend  the  element  to  load 

"  With  conflagration.     Charlestown  shall  appear 

"  In  flames  to  climb  the  highest  atmosphere, 

"  Which  to  the  day  will  add  a  splendid  scene, 

"  And  prove  the  terror  of  our  discipline  ! 

"  From  this,  no  village  shall  escape  the  brand, 

"  For  desolation  shall  involve  the  land. 

"'  A  blighting  pestilence  to  them  we'll  be, 

"  Till  in  the  dust  shall  they  imprint  their  knee ; 

"  And  with  a  meekness  that  partakes  of  fear, 

^'  Confess  their  treason  with  repenting  tear — 

^  And  kiss  the  crown  with  reverential  awe — 

"  Yea,  crave  the  honor  to  receive  its  law. 

"  Never  allegiance  shall  they  dare  forget — 

"  Hark ! — 'tis  the  Glasgow  and  the  Sommerset, 
"  Opening  their  bellowing  engines.     Rise — away— 
"  And  let  the  troops  in  richest  robes  array, 
"  As  on  review  to  make  a  grand  display." 

Forth  at  the  summons,  eager  they  repair 
T'  arrange  their  cohorts  on  the  height  to  bear. 
Soon  is  the  clangor  of  the  trumpet  heard. 
By  which  the  passions  are  tumultuous  stirred. 

5  -' 


50  THE    BATTLE    OF 

The  drum's  mad  music  ruffles  up  the  soul. 
And  makes  them  reckless  of  the  fatal  goal. 
That  Death  has  placed  within  a  single  turn. 
When  he  their  mortal  ashes  will  inurn. 

Now  when  from  ocean  waked  the  morning  beam, 
The  shipping  gazed — believing  it  a  dream. 
It  seemed  a  trance  their  faculties  possess'd — 
They  could  not  fix  the  truth  within  their  breast, 
That  rebels  such  high  daring  could  conceive, 
And  with  such  art  their  purposes  achieve : 
But  from  their  minds  all  doubt  was  vanished  brief — 
Th'  impressive  fact  was  grappled  with  belief. 
The  circling  bulwarks  every  moment  grew, 
And  longer  shadows  from  the  summit  threw. 

Alarm  produced  a  momentary  pause — 
Cut  soon  the  cannon  oped  their  flaming  jaws, 
/Vnd  hurPd  in  wreaths  of  fire  the  smiting  ball, 
'i'o  cause  the  rising  parapet  to  fall — 
|]xpecting  soon  to  see  the  patriots  break, 
And  in  despair,  their  infant  works  forsake : 
Cut  what  could  equal  their  chagrin — surprise, 
When  they  beheld  the  Eagle  mount  the  skies  I 


BUNKER   HILL  51 

Far  on  the  south  the  British  cannon  peaPd 
Against  the  wing  where  Thomas  sway'd  the  field. 
A  heavy  battery  open'd  on  the  west 
To  strike  the  centre  standard  from  its  rest, 
That  Ward  might  be  diverted  from  the  height, 
Fearing  himself  a  sally  on  his  right — 
And  hence  the  triumph  met  a  partial  blight. 
Th'  exploding  vessels  and  the  mounds  on  flame. 
Convulsive  shook  the  elemental  frame. 

When  Prescott  heard  the  opening  thunders  break, 
He  in  the  confidence  of  valor  spake : 

"  Hark !  they  at  length  our  labors  have  descried — 
'  At  all  our  works  they  range  across  the  tide. 
'  The  morn  has  drawn  the  veil  of  secrecy — 
'  And  now  we'll  prove  us  worthy  to  be  free  ! 
'  High  in  the  midst  of  heaven  the  standard  raise, 
'  And  let  the  stars  emit  the  lightning  blaze. 
'  Behold,  collecting  on  the  hills  afar, 
'  Our  hearts'  rich  treasures  to  observe  the  war ! 
'  Methinks  in  holy  prayer  I  see  them  bend, 
'  That  we  this  hill  may  gloriously  defend. 
Firm  will  we  hold  it  with  an  iron  grasp, 
^  Til.  deo.th  our  hand  shall  from  the  sword  unclasp.'' 


62  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Ere  he  had  finish'd,  was  the  flag  on  high, 
Floating  redundant,  Britons  to  defy. 
The  youthful  WiUicer,  too  venturesome. 
Leaps  from  th'  intrenchment — Behold,  a  bomb 
Exploding,  drops  him  like  a  new-mown  flower, 
Its  beauty  fading  in  the  sultry  hour. 
His  blood  the  first  that  sanctified  the  hill. 
To  keep  it  green  till  nature's  funeral  pile. 

The  daring  Prescott,  instant  that  he  fell. 
Mounted  the  parapet,  pale  fear  to  quell, 
Ere  that  its  frost  could  curdle.     He,  his  sword. 
Waves — soon  his  stirring  eloquence  is  heard : 

"  O,  envious  death !  to  be  the  first  to  bear 
"  The  news  to  heaven  what  we  have  pledged  to  dare? 
"  Yea,  shall  our  blood  yield  fatness  to  the  soil, 
''  Or  from  our  presence  tyrants  must  recoil. 
"  The  only  apprehension  that  I  feel, 
^'  Is,  that  they  never  will  assail  with  steel, 
''  But  to  their  cannonry  and  mortars  trust, 
"  Us  to  harass  and  sweep  our  works  to  dust. 

''  Ah,  no ! — ^my  fears  have  vanish'd  into  heav^en ! 
"  My  drooping  thoughts  to  ecstacy  are  given ! 
^  Behold,  emerging  from  the  city  there, 
^  Their  gaudy  streamers  dancing  on  the  air  ! 


BUNKER   HILL.  5S 

''  They  s<3on  in  ponderous  columns  will  arrive, 

*^Flush'd  with  ^ain  hopes  our  feebleness  to  drive; 

"  But  I05  our  feebleness  will  be  to  them, 

"  As  fire  that  belts  creation's  diadem. 

"  More  deep,  more  dense  they  close  in  their  ascent, 

"  More  large  will  they  partake  death's  sacrament. 

"  Putnam  remounted  on  a  charger  comes — 
"Warren   and  Stark! — their  presence   mounts— it 

plumes, 
"  Transports  the  soul  like  salutations  blest, 
"  When  rapt  it  enters  in  elysian  rest." 

His  words  produced  emotions  that  impell'd 
Upward  the  thoughts  as  if  on  heaven  they  held. 
They  cast  the  earth  behind  them — fixed  they  stood 
To  pay  the  price  of  liberty — their  blood. 

The  meantime  Putnam,  as  new  day  was  seen, 
On  a  fresh  charger,  bounded  o'er  the  green 
To  where  that  Stark  had  his  position  chose. 
Near  where  the  Mystic  with  the  ocean  flows. 
He  waited  not  for  Putnam  to  commence : 

"  I  crave  the  boon  to  aid  in  the  defence. 
^  1  seemasrais'd  on  pinions  to  ascend, 
^  And  \\  ith  my  troops  by  labor  to  defend 


M  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  The  summit,  till  with  weapons  we  contend." 
Putnam     rejoins :     "  Thy    language    burns — it 

thrills— 
"  Thy  heart  is  like  the  granite  of  the  hills. 
''  Now  is  the  time  to  let  thy  soul  have  play, 
^  For  I  forebode  eternal  lives  this  day. 
''  Thy  zeal  will  kindle  through  the  ranks. — Repair, 
^  And  give  to  Gridley  your  assistance  there. 
"  North  of  the  morass,  has  he  begun, 
"  (For  now  are  we  to  all  expedients  run) 
^'  A  shelter  of  mown  grass,  w^hich  when  compress'd, 
''  Will  stay  the  bullet's  force — a  kind  of  nest — 
^  Where  many  a  one  will  bedded  find  its  rest. 
''  Knowlton  will  here  his  skill  and  prowess  bend, 
"  For  we  on  Hampshire's  valor  can  depend. 
"  Him  will  you  join  when  battle  shall  be  heard, 
^'  To  prove  th'  unyielding  temper  of  your  sword. 
^  Your  left  will  rest  upon  the  river*  bank, 
"Your  right  wing,  from  assault,  guard  Prescott's 

flank. 
"  Hearken ! — the  Britons  have  the  works  descried — 
"  Their  heavy  guns  explode  upon  the  tide ! 

•  Mystic  Riv«« 


I 


BUNKER   HIIL.  55 

"  The  morning  opens  with  a  glorious  sign— 
"  Companions !  hasten  to  secm-e  the  hne — 
"  There  prove  your  spirits  are  indeed  divine !" 

Stark,  with  his  soul  in  music,  leads  the  way 
For  Knowlton,  Reed,  Cass,  Dearborn  to  display ; 
Storrs,  Willis,  Spencer,  valiant  Pearce,  and  Hall— 
Gilman,  McClary,  large  of  limb  and  tall — 
Whose  voice  resembles  ocean  in  its  rage. 
When  arm  to  arm  fierce  combatants  engage. 

Nutting  and  Warner,  right  of  the  redoubt, 
Take  post,  to  see  the  threatening  contest  out. 
A  wooden  fencement  is  their  only  shield. 
Like  that  which  Knowlton  on  the  left  wing  held 

The  gallant  Perkins  his  position  chose. 
Where  open  bosom'd  he  could  meet  his  foes — 
Between  the  left  of  Prescott  and  the  right 
Of  Knowlton,  waved  his  banner  in  the  light. 

Prescott  to  Putnam  as  he  clears  the  steep : 
"  Thy  swift  return  makes  new  pulsations  leap. 
"  Revered  art  thou — the  chosen  of  the  field — 
^  This  day  is  thine  to  be  in  history  seaPd. 
'  How  glows  my  breast  to  see  our  minds  as  one, 
^  Centred  as  rays  collected  from  the  sun. 


56  THE    BATTLE    OF 

''  The  troops  delight  to  hear  thy  voice  of  old — 
^  It  seems  new  powers — resources  to  unfold — 
"  Confirms  the  brave  and  makes  the  timid  bold." 

Putnam  grasps  his  hand  :  "  Yes,  I  feel  that  we 
"  Are  like  two  branches  from  one  parent  tree ; 
"  Soon  will  we  show  the  blossoms  of  our  fruit, 
"  Unless  destruction's  ploughshare  breaks  the  root.'' 

This  said — ^he  to  the  ranks  in  cheeiful  mode. 
Directed  his  discourse,  which  pleasing  flow'd : 

"  Comrades !  this  labor  will  throw  off  disease, 
"  For  toil  the  blood  of  peccant  humors  frees. 
"  Ah,  yes,  'twill  sweat  base  royalty  away, 
"  And  make  the  soul  its  purity  display ; 
"  What  though  their  heavy  peals  our  ears  invade, 
"  'Tis  but  the  music  of  a  serenade. 
"  It  proves  they  think  us  worthy  of  the  boon — 
"  We  presently  will  answer  them  the  tune ; 
''  For  though  at  times  they  think  us  worse  than  rudo, 
"  We'll  entertain  them  with  an  interlude." 

The  veteran  thus  in  a  facetious  style. 
Raised  on  the  cheek  a  confidential  smile, 
Outrooting  all  misgiving  from  the  breast, 
And  planting  there  a  glowing  interest. 


1 


BUNKER    HILL.  67 

Thus  did  the  patriots,  heedless  oi'  the  blast. 
Which  at  the  works  the  ships  and  batteries  cast, 
Pursue  their  labors  to  intrench  the  hill — 
Cool  unto  death  their  pledges  to  fulfil. 

Now  when  at  Harvard  was  the  council  done, 
A  fever  through  the  veins  of  Warren  run. 
He  sought  repose  to  calm,  t'  assuage  the  heat, 
For  strong  the  arteries  of  his  temples  beat. 
Stretch'd  listless  on  his  couch,  he  strives  in  vain 
Sleep  to  allure  ; — th'  excitement  of  the  brain 
Frightens  her  away ; — essaying  oft  to  close 
His   eyes,   while   tossing  to   and   fro  his  limbs  he 
throws. 

"Hark!   what  was  that? — Again  the   thunders 
peal! 
"  Health  is  restored  ! — no  more  the  pain  I  feel ! 
"  I  hear  the  summons  of  my  country  call — 
"  My  sword  is  hers — my  wealth — my  blood — my  all !" 

Scarce  this  effusion  from  his  soul  came  forth, 
When  proud  he  rose  as  if  he  spurn'd  the  earth.  . 
His  look  was  heavenward — his  port  sublime, 
As  if  his  hand  retain'd  the  link  of  time 
That  welded  with  eternity.     Soon  the  rein, 
His  charger  feels — ^he  courses  o'er  the  plain. 


58  .  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Putnam  salutes  him,  climbing  the  ascent. 
And  utters  feelingly  this  sentiment : 

"  I  joy  to  greet  thee  this  auspicious  morn — 
^  IlaiPd  will  it  be  by  millions  yet  unborn ! 
"  Still  would  I  urge  thee  to  remain  behind, 
"  For  wisdom  dwells  within  thy  lofty  mind. 
"  Adams  will  need  thy  counsel  to  advise 
"  Means  to  sustain  the  glorious  enterprise — 
"  But  yet  the  sentiment,  thy  looks  declare, 
''  Speaks — that  thy  spirit  will  the  perils  dare." 

To  whom  thus  Warren:    "Thou  my  soul  hath 
scann'd — 
"  Firm  in  resolve  my  purpose  have  I  plann'd. 
'^  I  crave  no  other  boon  than  here  to  rest, 
"  If  that  my  country  in  her  cause  be  blest. 
"  What !  could  I  linger  when  the  notes  of  war, 
"  Made  the  foundations  of  my  dwelling  jar  ? 
"  While  others  bled  to  guard  my  children — wife, 
"  Could  I  hold  recreant  back — notvpledge  my  life  ? 
"  Never — ^^Vhere'er  those  stars  effulgent  wave, 
^  Freedom  is  mine,  or  that  denied — a  grave !" 

"  I  find  it  vain  to  urge  you  to  recede, 
^^  Hence  I'll  explain  the  measures  we've  decreed 


BUNKER   HILL.  59 

"  Where  Prescott  now  is  seen  his  sword  to  wield, 
^  We  shall  reluctantly  be  forced  to  yield. 
I"  On  Bunker's  Height,  a  second  stand  we'll  make, 
''  And  never  till  the  last  the  hill  forsake ; 
^  But  first  with  blood  impressian  must  be  made, 
*'  That  never  from  their  memory  will  fade. 
"  We  there  must  plant  ourselves  for  death  or  life, 
"  Till  they  shall  fear  to  think  upon  the  strife. 
"  Our  troops  will  also  confidence  acquire, 
"  To  press  determined  through  the  walks  of  fire." 

Warren  approved  the  arrangement  of  the  chief 
While  to  the  summit  leap'd  their  chargers  brief. 

Him  Prescott  thus  saluted  :  "  Warren  !  hail ! 
^  Thy  presence  here  will  cause  us  to  prevail — 
"  To  you  I  yield  the  honor  of  command — 
"  Proud  I'll  sustain  you  with  my  own  right  hand." 

"  Never  forsooth  !"  Thus  Warren  in  return. 
^'  From  thee,  I  wish  the  soldier's  art  to  learn. 
"  Thy  head  is  hoary  in  the  field  of  fame — 
"  To  battle  by  thy  side  will  glorify  my  name." 

Now  when  the  sun  was  seated  on  his  throne, 
And  with  effulgence  his  full  splendor  shone, 


60  THE    BATTLE    OF 

From  Boston  in  array  the  foe  advanced. 

While   on    the   breeze    their   flickering   standards 

danced. 
They  in  appearance  look'd  a  cloud  of  gold. 
When  crimson  fringes  lave  each  misty  fold. 
The  music  filPd  the  element  profound, 
And  made  the  heart  triumphantly  to  bound. 
How^e  led  the  van  with  royal  star  array'd — 
Leslie  and  Pitcarn,  next  in  martial  grade ; 
Richardson,  Abercrombie,  Williams,  Clark, 
Percy  and  Rawdon  with  a  lordly  mark ; 
Bruce,  Jordon,Spendlove,  Mitchell,  Butler,  Small, 
With  whom  had  Putnam  wing'd  the  deadly  ball, 
When  they  contended  'gainst  the  flag  of  Gaul. 

Percy  the  columns  on  the  rear  sustained — 
Soon  they  the  beach  of  shining  pebbles  gain'd. 
The  decorated  barges  seem'd  to  feel 
A  conscious  pride  to  bear  the  burnish'd  s^eel ; 
Slow  as  the  music  beat  the  measured  key. 
They  in  their  motion  kept  the  harmony. 
Charles,  from  the  depths  of  his  translucent  wave, 
Back  on  the  sight  their  gilded  trappings  gave. 
They  soon  the  narrow  channel  glided  o'er. 
And  stood  in  all  their  strength  upon  the  shore. 


BUNKER   HILL.  61 

Gage  in  the  mean  time  gloried  in  his  pride, 
To  see  the  army  buoyant  on  the  tide. 
He  held  the  battery  ready  to  explode. 
And  Charlestown  conflagrate  in  royal  mode. 
When  Howe  majestic  to  th'  attack  should  move, 
And  his  train'd  discipline  victorious  prove — 
He  at  the  prospect  feels  an  inward  glow, 
Which  gives  his  utterance  an  effusive  flow : 

"  How  it  must  pall  their  nerves  on  yonder  height 
"  To  mark  the  dazzling  splendor  of  the  sight ! 
"  How  terrible  the  helmets,  bayonets,  gleam, 
"  Awe  to  impress  and  rule  the  land  supreme  ! 
"  See  how  the  Glasgow  rakes  the  defile*  o'er, 
"  Preventing  all  accession  to  their  power ; 
"  And  hkewise  them,  debarring  from  retreat, 
"  When  Howe  shall  them  like  scatter'd  herds  defeat 

"  Pigot,  the  match,  stand  instant  to  apply, 
"  To  cause  the  shells  to  leap  along  the  sky. 
"  This  day  a  finish  of  the  war  will  be, 
''  For  every  rebel  will  make  bare  his  knee, 
"  And  kings  will  hail  it  as  their  jubilee — 

*  Charlestown  Neck. 
6 


62  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  Hush'd  th'  obstreperous  rant  of  Freedom's  tongue, 
"  And  o'er  her  grave  a  royal  peal  be  rung. 

"  Gaze,  gaze  ye  hills — ye  steeples,  gaze — behold 
"  The  scene  the  fii  st,  the  last  that  ever  will  unfold. 
"  Behold  the  terrors  of  a  throne  incensed, 
''  And  let  its  fear  be  deeply  evidenced." 

He  ceased.     A  bomb  disploded  from  the  steep, 
Which  show'd  him  ready  on  the  town  to  leap 
With  raining  fire  to   scath  it  from  the  earth. 
To  give  his  myrmidons  demoniac  mirth. 

Soon  as  the  ships  began  the  battering  war. 
And  morning  trembled  with  th'  eruptive  jar, 
The  populous  city  crowded  to  the  scene — 
Yea,  every  hamlet,  cottage  on  the  green,  ^ 

PourM  out  its  tenants — infants,  mothers,  all — 
To  learn  what  judgment  would  the  land  befall. 
Old  gray-'hair'd  men — Elijahs  of  their  race. 
Came  forth,  their  country  and  her  arms  to  bless. 
Deep  asking  passions  moved  the  multitude — 
Some  would  in  silence  o'er  their  sufferings  brood ; 
Mothers  would  inward  to  their  bosoms  crowd 
Their  babes,  and  utter  lamentations  loud. 


BUNKER   HILL.  63 

Others  would  hope  express,  subdued  with  fear — 
They  now  would  smile,  and  now  let  fall  a  tear. 
Others  in  dumb  despair  show'd  all  was  lost. 
While  o'er  their  features  spread  a  deadly  frost. 

Hancock  and  Adams,  consecrated  men. 
Stand  near  the  Mystic. — Never  history's  pen 
Hath  characters  portray'd  more  bright  than  these— 
On  whom  th'  affections  in  a  transport  seize. 
They  seem  by  their  sublime  and  pondering  look, 
Reading  the  page  in  inspiration's  book. 
That  on  this  day,  would  Truth,  a  new-orb'd  star, 
Rise  and  diverge  its  hallow'd  rays  afar. 

''  My  countryman,  my  brother !"     Adams  thus. 
''  Say,  is  not  this  a  glorious  day  for  us? 
*"  A  day  to  hght  with  freedom's  torch  the  pyre 
"  Of  tyranny,  from  whence  shall  forth  aspire 
"  The  phoenix  liberty  on  wings  of  flame, 
"  Casting  a  briUiance  o'er  creation's  framfe — 
"  The  continent  will  feel  th'  electric  shock, 
"  Causing  the  soul  its  treasures  to  unlock : 
"  York,  the  first  link  will  seize  the  sparkle, — then 
"  Jersey,  Delaware,  Maryland,  and  Penn. 
^  Virginia  fill'd  with  inspiration's  breath, 
^  Will  raise  the  cry  of  Liberty  or  Death  ! 


64  THE    BATTLE    OF 

^  She  to  the  nation  will  bequeath  her  son 
"  To  lead  our  arms  to  conquest — ^Washington  ! 
"  The  Carolines  and  Georgia — the  extreme, 
"  Will  catch  from  yonder  height  the  boreal  gleam, 
"And  rise,  and  grasp  the  spear,  their  country  to 
redeem !" 

He  ceased.  And  Hancock,  while  he  eager  press'd 
His  glowing  hand,  him  thus  in  tiirn  address'd : 

"  Thy  language  burns  with  a  celestial  zeal — 
"  Deep  in  my  breast  th'  impressive  truths  I  feel: 
"  But  could  they  now  as  history  be  read 
"  Without  a  shadow,  doubt,  foreboding  dread, 
"  I  then  would  say  to  heaven :  No  more  I  crave ! 
"  Now  will  my  sleep  be  pleasant  in  the  grave. 
"  Could  but'  our  blood  procure  th'  invalued  prize, 
"  How  freely  would  we  make  the  sacrifice ! 
"  Yea,  pinion'd  would  we  yield  ourselves  to  Gage, 
"  And  let  his  hellish  bosom  glut  its  rage ! 

''  Yon  city  holds  my  perishable  all? 
"  I  scarce  regard  what  doom  may  it  befall. 
"  Let  them  my  treasures,  with  polluted  hand, 
"  Seize  and  apply  the  conflagrating  brand — 
"  I'd  deem  it  light  as  gossamer  to  me, 
''  So  that  victorious  were  my  country  free.'* 


BUNKER   HILL.  65 

The  old  men   gather'd  round   them  while  they 
spoke. 
And  gazed  upon  them  with  devotion's  look. 
Their  eyes  they  iix'd  with  gratitude  to  heaven, 
That  two  such  Catos  to  the  land  were  given. 


BUNKBH  HILL 
Cakto  SL 


BUNKER    HILL 


Argument. — Gage,  from  Willard,  a  refugee,  learns  the  characters  of 
several  American  chiefs — The  conflagration  of  Charlestown — Pomeroy 
arrives  from  Northampton — The  English  advance  to  the  attack — Some 
few  soldiers  prematurely  discharging  their  pieces,  calls  forth  a  reprimand 
from  Prescott — ^Warren  addresses  the  troops — ^The  signal  being  given  by 
Putnam,  the  Columbians  pour  forth  a  deadly  volley — The  Britons  fall  bacS 
in  great  disorder — Howe,  recovering  from  a  fit  of  despair,  soon  rallies  his 
forces  for  a  second  attempt — ^A  part  of  the  reinforcements  refuse  to  cross 
Charlestown-Neck,  in  consequence  of  its  being  raked  by  the  shipping  of 
the  enemy — Putnam  is  indignant  at  their  conduct — ^The  British  make 
another  more  desperate  elSbrt,  but  are  again  compelled  to  retire. 

The  scene  is  laid  at  Copps  Hill,  and  round  the  shores,  and  on  the 
heights  of  Charlestown. 

The  time  is  about  two  hours. 


Canto  IH. 

The  mean  time  Gage  conversed  with  Willard  near 
Who  ever  had  his  confidence  and  ear — 
A  native  of  the  soil,  therefore  could  he 
Unlock  to  Gage  the  cell  of  secrecy. 
Willard  is  one,  whose  conscience  avarice  seara 
Bringing  disgrace  upon  declining  years — 


70  '  THE   BATTLE    OF 

He  British  rule  and  British  faith  reveres. 

A  priest-craft  book  the  only  page  he  read, 

Which  petrified  his  heart — deranged  his  head. 

He  thinks  it  ruin  on  the  land  would  bring. 

E'en  with  remonstrance  to  address  a  king ; 

But  to  rebel  against  his  right  divine. 

Would  mar,  annul  dread  Deity's  design. 

Too  narrow  is  his  soul  t'  imbibe  those  views 

That  elevate  mankind  and  light  infuse. 

His  mind  is  like  a  stagnant  pool  where  breed 

Prejudices,  fostering  of  a  grovelling  creed. 

The  dark,  rough,  foundering  path  his  fathers  trod, 

He  follows,  doubting  not  it  leads  to  God — 

Hence  with  religious  bitterness  and  zeal, 

He  violates,  breaks  open  every  seal. 

Which  bars  a  hidden  treasure  from  the  foe, 

That  he  more  certain  may  direct  his  blow — 

Yea,  should  the  life  of  his  own  son  be  lost. 

He  more  obstreperous  of  his  king  would  boast. 

Gage  jealous  with  his  telescope  in  hand. 
Saw  Prescott  flourishing  his  glittering  brand. 
While  balls  flew  round  him,  hurling  up  the  sand. 
Now  known  to  Willard  was  each  patriot  chief. 
And  Gage  thus  question'd  him  in  maun  or  brief; 


BUNKER   HILL  71 

^  Art  thou  acquainted  with  that  character 
"  Wielding,  his  blade  as  if  he'd  singly  dare 
"  To  meet  my  columns  in  their  strength  array'd, 
''  As  though  his  heart  of  firmest  steel  were  made— 
"  But  think  you  not  when  press  our  bayonets  near, 
'^  That  he  will  blanch  and  show  a  traitor's  fear  ?" 

"  Prescott,  his  name.     As  for  himself,  I  feel, 
''  That  never  he  will  in  submission  kneel : 
"  As  for  his  clan,  unmarshall'd  and  unskill'd, 
"  They  may  perhaps  without  resistance  yield  ; 
"  But  he  with  Winslow  in  his  youth  stood  high, 
"  And  still  there's  flashing  lightning  m  his  eye." 

'^  Pray,  who  is  that  surveying  of  the  hill  ? 
"  Distant  he  seems  an  engineer  of  skill. 
"  But  who  enrich'd  with  science  would  descend 
"  To  such  a  herd,  his  services  to  lend  1" 

Willard  rejoins :  "  'Tis  Gridley  whom  you  see — 
'^  His  soul  till  now  was  from  pollution  free. 
"  From  Bastide  he  the  art  of  war  acquired, 
"  Beloved — for  knowledge  his  ambition  fired. 
"  At  Lewisburg,  at  Breton,  Abram's  plain, 
''Where  Wolfe  embraced   in  victory's   arms   was 
slam. 


72  THE    BATTLE    OF 

*'  He  bent  the  compass  and  drew  forth  the  lines, 
^'  And  aided  to  achieve  those  great  designs." 

"  What  deep  disgrace  to  turn  a  rebel  now, 
"  While  float  his  thin  locks  hoary  on  his  brow. 
"I  wish  his  person  blotted  from  my  sight — 
''  Ingrate !  to  rob  a  monarch  of  his  right — 
''  Most  brilliant  diamond  in  his  crown  to  blight ! 

""  Another  aged  reprobate  I  mark, 
"  Kindling  a  hot  rebellion  from  a  spark ! 
"  He  near  the  centre  of  the  mound  appears — 
'^  A  book  of  prayers  would  more  become  his  years, 
"  Than  the  huge  weapon  that  his  hand  sustains, 
"  As  if  he'd  smite  the  adamantine  chains 
"  That  bind  this  continent  to  England's  Isle — 
"  How  vain  to  think  they  can  its  link's  defile !" 

Thus  Gage.     Thus  Willard  in  his  turn  replies : 
"  A  veteran  he  your  lordship  now  descries. 
''  Have  you  not  heard  when  victory  flash'd  his  eye, 
"  Winslow  proclaim  the  gallantry  of  Frye  ?" 

"  Hold,  Willard,  hold ! — repeat  no  more  to  me. 
*  T  now  in  them  th'  effects  of  dotage  see. 


BUNKER   HILL.  73 

•^  A  second  childishness  pervades  their  brain 

"  To  think  that  they  will  e'er  their  freedom  gain — 

"  Freedom !— what  freedom  can  the  world  afford, 

"  Equal  to  that  which  flows  from  England's  lord — 

^  'Tis  real  freedom  at  the  throne  to  bow, 

"  And  hail  as  truth  whatever  kings  avow. 

"  But  who  is  that  approaching  on  the  rear  ? 
u  9Tis  Warren — else  my  vision  is  not  clear ; 
"  A  demagogue,  whose  tongue  delights  to  rail, 
"  But  soon  in  lasting  silence  shall  it  fail. 

"  Putnam  ! — I  scarce  my  feelings  can  describe ! 
"  Him  have  I  strove  to  purchase  with  a  bribe. 
"  He  spurn'ed  my  temptings ; — vengeance  shall  he 

feel— 
"  The  bribe  I  offer  no>*  is  deadly  steel." 

As  this  he  utter'd,  hard  he  smote  his  brow. 
Just  at  the  instant  that  the  barge  of  Howe 
Struck  on  the  beach,  which  call'd  his  mind  away, 
Farther  the  different  leaders  to  survey. 

He  kindles  all  his  leaping  fires  at  once. 
Which  to  the  town  a  fearful  doom  announce. 
A  widow's  home  was  first  to  catch  the  flame, 
And  she,  alas,  a  lifeless  corse  became. 


74  THE    BATTLE    OF 

The  shriekings  of  distress  ascend  the  skies— 
Now  here  now  there  the  bickering  flashes  rise. 
On  private  dweUings — on  the  pubhc  halls — 
On  poverty's  low  shed,  the  ruin  falls. 
The  fierce  combustion  spreading  far  and  wide — 
Thick  rolls  of  smoke  upon  the  whirlwinds  ride. 
Red  flames,  like  serpent  tongues,  are  seen  to  flash 
Amid  the  folds,  while  falling  buildings  crash. 
Swift  round  the  steeples  fiery  ringlets  curl. 
And  shoot  above  them  with  a  maddening  whirl. 
Catching  from  this  to  that,  the  blaze  combines, 
Till  all  in  one  vast  conflagration  joins. 
A  sea  of  flame  beneath,  from  which  ascend 
(yolumns  of  fire  that  with  the  heavens  contend. 
The  patriots  still  pursued  their  toils  intense, 
Regardless  of  the  battering  violence. 
Exploding  from  the  vessels  in  the  stream— 
Their  only  thought  their  country  to  redeem ! 
While  through  their  veins  a  thrilling  impulse  run, 
They  thought  of  those  whc  fought  at  Marathon  ! 
They  thought  of  those  who  in  the  defile  stood, 
And  wrote  their  every  name  in  Persian  blood — 
They  thought  to  die  more  glorious  than  to  live, 
And  from  a  tyrant^  clemency  receive. 


BUNKER   HILL.  75 

The  voice  of  Prescott  ever  cheer'd  the  brave : 
"  This  height  have  I  selected  for  a  grave ! 
"  Could  but  my  bones  ifind  rest  beneath  the  mound, 
^'  My  last,  last  slumbers  w^ould  be  sweet — profound.'' 

This  said — a  mattock  fropa  a  youth  he  took. 
Who  show'd  exhaustion  by  his  languid  look — 
A  peasant-lad  was  he — yet  was  his  mind 
So  firm,  that  he  reluctantly  resign'd — 
Remonstrance  was  in  vain — the  undaunted  chief, 
While  laboring,  thus  accosted  him  in  brief: 

"  Young  comrade,  rest  thou  on  yon  sloping  bank, 
"  And  mark  the  Britons  as  they  close  their  rank. 
"  Your  limbs  require  some  respite  for  repose, 
"  To  be  prepared  in  deadly  shock  to  close. 
"  And  does  your  eye  grow  brighter  at  the  thought— 
"  A  flushing  ardor  in  your  cheek  is  wrought. 
"  Thou  I  perceive  hast  dug  an  ample  grave, 
"  And  I  intend  the  same  my  bones  to  have. 
"  Life  is  a  bubble  dancing  on  a  stream — 
"  The  valiant  apprehend  no  after  dream, 
"  If  that  the  world  from  bondage  they  redeem." 

Th'  example  of  the  chief  awaked  new  flame 
In  every  bosom  and  renew'd  the  frame. 


76  THE    BATTLE   OF 

Pearce,  Bridge,  McClary,  Gridley,  Brooks,  and  Frye, 
Show'd  that  their  hearts  were  diamond  jewelry, 
On  which,  no  steel  of  tyrants  could  engrave 
The  dastard  characters  that  read — a  slave. 

Stark  still  continued  laboring  at  the  soil. 
But  now  he  takes  to  more  ennobling  toil — 
To  Knowlton  at  the  river  he  repairs. 
Bold  to  attest  what  man  avenging  dares. 
When  that  he  wills  to  break  oppression's  chain, 
And  his  high  destiny  of  soul  attain. 

The  mean  time  Putnam  with  an  eye  that  shone, 
As  with  a  beam  from  vivid  lightning  thrown. 
Traced  every  thought  and  movement  of  the  foe, 
Planning  to  crush  the  country  at  a  blow — 
Calm  he  observed  the  regal  host  embark. 
To  quench,  extinguish  the  redeeming  spark — 
Yiew'd  them  in  line  re-form  upon  the  shore. 
And  heard  unmoved  the  heavy  mortars  roar ; 
Saw  Gage  from  Boston  hurl  his  trains  of  fire, 
To  cause  the  town  in  ashes  to  expire — 
Heard  the  big  thunders  from  the  navy  peal — 
Yet  did  his  features  not  a  change  reveal. 
Th'  eruptive  scene  deliberate  he  survey'd. 
And  passion  none  save  life  or  death  betray'd : 


9.  BUNKER    HILL.  ,  77 

As  some  huge  promontory  stands  unmoved 
Amid  the  sea,  to  earth's  fix'd  centre  grooved. 
Reckless  of  blackening  tempests,  lightning,  hail, 
Combined  to  crush — audacious  to  prevail — 
Or  the  vast  ocean  heaving  from  its  base, 
Striving  to  move  the  basement  from  its  place — 
Still  it  remains  without  a  fracturing  jar, 
Though  tumult  rages  on  its  thundering  car  : 

So  Putnam  stands  deep  centred  on  his  mind, 
Firm  to  maintain  the  purpose  he'd  design'd. 
Though  fierce  contention  gather'd  at  his  feet, 
And  round  him  blazed  the  conflagrating  sheet. 

Now  beat  the  drums,  the  fife  inspired  with  breath 
Sings,  rallying  the  Britons  to  the  work  of  death — 
Howe  on  the  right  to  force  the  line  of  Stark, 
Assumes  command,  while  Pigot,  small  of  mark, 
Takes  post  upon  the  left  to  leap  the  mound. 
And  bend  the  spear  of  freedom  in  the  ground. 

While  thus  the  royals  ranged  themselves  severe, 
The  patriots  still  toil'd  on — 

— "  My  soul  is  here !" 
Pomeroy  exclaims,  advancing  from  the  rear. 


78  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  This  glorious  scene  I've  panted  to  behold — 
"  A  scene  so  grand,  not  prophets  have  foretold  l^ 

"  Pomeroy  !  all  hail ! — thy  hoary  locks  w^e  greet— 
"  Thy  presence  will  the  myrmidons  defeat !" 

This  salutation  to  the  sage  vs^as  given. 
As  if  they  stood  upon  the  mount  of  heaven. 
He  from  Connecticut's  far  stream  had  flown. 
Since  from  the  trumpet  the  late  blast  was  blown. 
He  next  to  Warren  stands  to  urge  the  fray, 
Till  through  his  veins  the  last  warm  drop  snould 
play. 

Now  when  from   Boston  Gage  discharged   the 
shell. 
Which  on  devoted  Charlestown  bursting  fell, 
Howe  bade  his  deepening  column  to  move  forth, 
Slow  like  a  cloud  that  overshades  the  eartli. 
Conveying  on  the  wings  the  thunder's  car. 
Soon  on  the  reeling  elements  to  jar. 

Howe  by  the  ardor  of  his  pride  impell'd, 
Without  his  aids,  advances  on  the  field. 
He,  daring  in  the  reach  of  rifle's  aim, 
Stands— as  if  shielded  by  a  mighty  name. 


I 


BUNKER    HILL.  79 


ith  calmness  he  th'  opposing  works  surveys — 
He  feels  his  brow»  already  crown'd  with  bays 
With  dew  of  royal  bounty  sprinkled  o'er. 
That  at  a  blow  he'd  crush'd  rebellious  power. 
He  waits  the  heavy  squadron  on  his  rear — 
Soon  they  approach  in  battling  distance  near. 
Instant  at  signal  given,  the  cube  displays. 
While  o'er  their  heads  a  canopy  they  raise 
Of  war's  combustion,  moving  in  array, 
As  if  to  pleasure  on  a  holy  day. 

When  Putnam  saw  the  enemy  condensed, 
With  scorn  in  every  movement — pride  incensed, 
He  bade  his  warriors  to  remit  their  toil. 
To  be  prepared  to  vindicate  the  soil. 
Scarce  they  their  keen  impatience  can  restrain 
T'  unbend  the  lock  and  draw  the  sanguine  stain. 
Some  youths  involuntary  touch'd  the  spring. 
And  Prescott's  passions  rose  upon  the  wing : 

"  What  madness !  sacrilege  !   To  heaven  I  swear, 
•'  Let  him  who  next  shall  violate — beware  ! 
^  He  as  defilement  by  this  sword  shall  fall, 
"  And  as  he  dies  shall  hear  the  curse  of  all  !'* 


80  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Th'  assailants  halted,  hoping  to  exhaust 
The  means  of  the  Columbians  to  their  cost. 
But  stand  they  silent  in  reserved  defence — 
Putnam  solicits  Warren's  eloquence : 

"  At  length  hath  come  the  soul-attesting  hour, 
"  To  prove  that  We,  the  People,  have  the  power ! 
"  Yea,  on  this  hill,  a  beacon-light  vs^e'll  raise, 
"  That  unextinguish'd  through  the  w^orld  shall  blazel 
"  We  here  on  Freedom's  sacred  altar  stand 
"  To  offer  incense  to  preserve  the  land. 
''  We'll  pour  our  blood  in  rich  oblation  forth, 
"  That  Liberty  may  hail  this  day  her  birth. 
"  My  soul  perceives  an  inspiration  round — 
"  Methinks  I  stand  on  consecrated  ground  ! 
"  Each  look  seems  touch'd  with  something  from  orij 

high, 
"  As  if  that  hovering  seraphim  were  nigh  ! 

"  Mark !  th'  enslavers  on  our  bulwarks  bear — 
"  Kneel  to  the 'earth  as  if  devout  in  prayer. 
••'  Heed  not  their  efforts  distant  on  the  plain, 
^'  Though  balls  whiz  o'er  us  thick  as  frozen  rain. 
''  Small  the  combustion  we  possess  in  store, 
^  Hence  steep  your  every  lead  in  hostile  gore. 


BUNKER   HILL.  81 

"  Keep  deathful  in  reserve,  till  Putnam's  sword 
"  Shall  wave  and  give  the  consummating  word." 

A  strange  sensation  thrilPd  through  every  breast. 
As  if  upborne — translated  with  the  bless'd. 
Their  feeling  such,  no  utterance  was  heard, 
Yet  a  small  whisper  in  their  bosoms  stirr'd, 
That  seem'd  to  speak  as  with  the  breath  of  heaven, 
That  immortality  to  each  was  given. 

They  knelt  behind  the  bulwarks  and  survey'd 
With  death-springs  bent,  the  veteran's  lifted  blade, 
While  with  firm  step  th'  advancing  legions  press'd, 
And  all  the  element  with  war  distress'd  5 
Near  and  more  near  they  rise  upon  the  steep — 
Yet  their  fix'd  attitude  the  forted  keep. 
Silence  like  judgment  dwells  upon  the  height — 
No  threatening  object  is  exposed  to  sight, 
Save  the  proud  banner  floating  in  the  breeze 
Redundant,  then  reclining  at  its  ease — 
The  stars  shot  forth  an  unexpected  ray, 
Which  on  each  hero  burnt  hke  living  day ; 
As  when  with  Hghtning,  Deity,  his  name, 
Scrolls — such  its  keen  transparency  of  flame  :  . 
Of  this,  th'  invaders  nothing  could  discern. 
For  o'er  them  hung  the  shade  of  death's  dark  urn. 


82  THE    BATTLE    OF 

The  patriots  felt  it — knew  it  was  a  sign, 
That  had  its  source  in  agency  divine. 

By  this,  so  near  the  summit  are  the  foe. 
That  their  flush'd  countenance  begins  to  show ; 
Where  scorn  is  mingled  with  imperious  pride. 
While  the  rude  works  they  tauntingly  deride. 
Still  they  in  blazing  depths  hold  progress  on. 
Thinking  already  was  th'  achievement  won. 
Still  Putnam  keeps  his  sword  suspended  high — 
Tliey  now  so  close,  he  looks  them  in  the  eye ! — 
They  caught  the  rising  vengeance  of  his  soul, 
Which  shock'd  them,  as  keen  lightning  from  the  pole. 
They  paused — so  terrible  the  veteran's  ire. 
His  glance  appeared  an  arrow  tipp'd  with  fire. 
His  sword  the  instant  like  a  meteor  fell ! — 
A  shriek  of  agony  convulsed  the  hill ! 
Confusion  reigns — the  squadron  is  no  more — 
The  fugitives  bewilder'd  seek  the  shore. 
They  drop  their  arms — on  board  the  barges  leap, 
Intent  to  find  a  rescue  on  the  deep. 
The  dead  in  gashful  attitudes  are  seen, 
While  some  yet  gasp  with  death's  contracting  mien* 
So  suddenly  th'  embodied  cohorts  fell, 
It  seem'd  th'  effect  of  some  bewildering  spell. 


BUNKER   HILL  83 

Wide  ruin  show'd  that  havoc  had  been  there. 
As  when  destruction  lays  creation  bare : 

Thus  when  the   sun  through  cancer  holds  his 
reign. 
And  the  bright  harvest  waves  upon  the  plain. 
The  birch,  the  maple  in  rich  livery  dress'd — 
The  elm,  the  oak  with  dignity  impressed. 
The  flocks,  the  herds  in  luscious  pastures  feed. 
While  in  their  nests  the  birds  their  young  ones 

breed. 
Ready  with  harvest-hooks  the  reapers  stand 
To  take  the  glorious  burden  from  the  land. 
They  hail  the  prospect  of  the  fields  around, 
As  if  fruition  had  their  labors  crown'd — 
They  mark  a  cloud  upon  a  hill  to  rest. 
But  not  a  shadow  passes  o'er  their  breast, 
That  such  a  spot,  so  circumscribed,  would  bring 
A  sweeping  blast  to  spoil  their  harvesting. 
Lo,  as  they  wield  their  glittering  sickles  forth. 
The  first  gold  sheaf  to  gather  from  the  earth. 
Thunders  explode  tremendous  on  the  hill — 
Keen  lightnings  flash  while  peal  succeeds  to  peal. 
On  fiery  wings  tornadoes  rush  amain. 
And  sweep  at  once  the  glory  of  the  plain : 


I 


84  THE    BATTLE    OF 

The  maple,  beech,  the  elms,  the  oaks,  are  rent, 
And  the  torn  fragments  through  the  forest  sent ; 
The  flocks  are  scatter'd, — deep  the  frantic  herds 
Bellow  distress.     The  summer  flowers,  the  birds 
Are  hurPd  in  wild  disorder  on  the  gale. 
While  the  fast  props  of  nature  seem  to  fail. 
The  harvesters  in  fierce  amazement  stare — 
Their  station  they  retain — yet  know  not  where — 
Balanced  between  delirium  and  despair : 

With  like  emotions  the  Britannians  rose 
The  steep — not  dreaming  of  impending  woes. 
They  thought  the  new-ridged  earth  would  backward 

shrink. 
Soon  as  their  feet  should  tread  upon  its  brink ; 
But  wo-deceived  ! — they  met  a  tempest  there. 
That  swept  their  hopes  of  golden  harvest  bare. 

Howe  cast  his  sword  in  anguish  on  the  earth, 
And  wild  with  passion,  drew  his  poniard  forth. 
He  made  a  pass  to  plunge  it  in  his  breast, 
And  kill  the  frenzy  that  his  mind  distress'd. 
Gordon  his  aid,  the  instant  seized  his  arm. 
And  held  it  firm  till  reason  hush'd  th'  alarm — 
The  steel  impatient  glittering  in  the  air — 
His  laboring  bosom  heaving  with  despair, 


BUNKER   HILL.  86 

"  The  reeling  earth  !  it  sinks  beneath  my  feet ! 
^  See  spectres  flying  on  yon  fiery  sheet ! 

#  *  #  *  * 

^'  Ah,  Gordon !  is  it  you  ?  And  do  you  deign 
^'  To  hve  ? — With  blood,  I'll  wash  away  the  stain  ! 
'^  Forbear  !  and  let  my  dagger  have  its  play — 
"  Hence ! — let  me  hide  me  from  this  hateful  day  ! 
"What!    would  you  live  t'  endure  the   hiss — ^the 

scorn — 
"  QuicK  iet  me  die — to  compound  dust  return  ! 
"  This  royal  token  from  my  breast  I  tear — 
"  No  longer  I  disgraceful  will  it  wear. 
"  What !  by  a  herd  of  peasants  be  subdued  ? 
"  I  cannot  quench  the  thought  in  sohtude, 
"  Except  I  pour  my  blood  upon  the  flame, 
*'  Which  seems  already  to  consume  my  frame." 
His   voice  here    faiPd    him,  trembhng,  faltering, 
weak, 
And  Gordon  thus  began  with  accent  meek : 
"  Come,  let  me  wipe  these  drops  from  ofi*  thy 
brow — 
«  Break  through  thi^  darkness  that  o'erwhelms  thee 
now. 


I 


86  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  The  rebels  thousands  thronging  every  steep, 

"  Laugh  to  behold  a  lord  of  England  weep  ! 

"  Drive — cast  these  tears  of  bitterness  avs^ay, 

"  And  let  the  vengeance  of  thy  soul  have  play. 

•^  Let  pride  and  honor  in  full  passion  swell, 

"  And  soon  will  that,  these  heavy  thoughts  dispel— 

"  Regrasp  thy  sword  and  desolate  the  hill !" 

Howe  soon  perceived  his  sinking  heart  to  rise, 
While  indignation  muster'd  in  his  eyes. 
He  leap'd  his  charger — flash'd  his  brand  in  air. 
And  bade  his  legions  to  their  post  repair. 
While  o'er  his  brow  high-waved  his  crimson  plume, 
He  felt  as  if  new-risen  from  the  tomb. 
Pitcarn  and  Percy,  seized  a  flag  and  rode 
Bold  in  advance  t'  inspire  the  multitude. 
By  small  degrees  the  panic  fled  their  breast — 
Soon  stood  they  form'd  with  potency  impressed. 
Howe,  like  a  new- forged  thunderbolt  of  war. 
Appeared — His  voice  vociferates  afar  : 

"  What !  shall  the  British  soldiery  confess, 
''  That  they  are  puling  infants  in  distress  ? 
"  What !  are  our  hearts  composed  of  moulded  wax, 
"  To  melt  and  all  our  energy  relax  ? 


BUNKER   HILL.  87 

"Ye  gods!  can  such  indignity  remain 
"  And  brand  our  dastard  foreheads  with  the  stain  ? 
"  Never  ! — with  blood  we'll  wash  it,  till  no  trace 
^'  Shall  show  where  written  was  the  vile  disgrace. 

"  Behold,  the  winds  have  shifted  in  their  flight, 
"  Bending  the  conflagration  to  the  height ! 
"  Beneath  the  cover  of  the  smoke  we'll  rise, 
"  O'erleap  the  rampart — finish  the  emprise — 
"  Tread  the  stiff"  necks  of  the  rebellious  down, 
"  Tin  they  shall  fear  to  raise  a  murmuring  frown— 
^  Bent  on  the  knee  shall  they  adore  the  crown ! 

"  On  !  let  no  echo  of  the  drum  be  heard, 
"  Till  hght  shall  flash  from  my  commanding  sword, 
"  Then  let  the  music  in  its  madness  beat, 
"  And  tread  th'  opprobrious  flag  beneath  our  feet !" 

This  language  like  the  burning  town  inflamed. 
Pledging  to  each,  the  past  should  be  redeem'd. 
Firm  lock'd,  they  move  a  living  wall,  as  though 
No  mortal  arm  its  strength  could  overthrow. 

Mean  time  the  cannon  of  the  Glasgow  rung, 
And  o'er  the  defile  grape  and  langrage  flung. 
Which  kept  the  reinforcements  at  a  bay. 
Fearing  to  pass  and  join  th'  impending  iray. 


S8  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Coit,  the  heroic  Chester,  Clark,  and  Ford, 
Strove  by  their  eloquence  and  threatening  sword, 
To  urge  their  squadrons  to  advance  and  prove 
That  their  integrity  not  death  could  move. 

Putnam  beheld  the  circumstance  and  flew, 
While  hot  resentment  in  his  bosom  grew — 
Plying  the  rowel  to  his  charger's  flank. 
He  soon  was  present  mid  the  shrinking  rank — 

"  Heavens !" 

But  speak,  he  could  not.  Chagrin  and  wratn, 
Forbade.     He  wheel'd, — rode  back, — recross'd  the 

path. 
Thrice  he  deliberately  with  loosen'd  rein. 
Guided  his  charger  o'er  the  dangerous  plain. 
While  balls  assaiPd  him  like  a  hail-stone  shower. 
When  the  dark  elements  with  thunders  lower. 
At  times  the  torn  up  earth  would  hide  his  form, 
So  furious  from  the  shipping  beat  the  storm ; 
Yet  still  he  kept  his  course  serenely  calm. 
As  if  he  breath'd  the  air  of  summer's  balm. 

At  length  he  found  his  indignation  stay'd. 
And  this  warm  language  on  their  souls  he  laid  : 

"  Hence  with  the  thought  of  danger  to  proceed  1 
^'  The  arm  of  heaven  will  shield  you  in  the  deed. 


BUNKER    HILL.  89 

"  Let  your  eye  gaze  upon  the  standard  there, 
•'  And  with  firm  step  beneath  its  folds  repair. 
"  To  Hve  this  day,  or  on  this  day  to  die, 
"  Will  leave  a  name  that  ages  will  defy. 

"  We  soon  or  late  must  slumber  on  our  bier — 
"  What  signifies  th'  addition  of  a  year  ? 
"  Yea,  should  we  live  till  sear'd  be  autumn's  leaf, 
"  'Twould  pass  before  us  like  a  vision  brief. 
"  T'  exist  on  yonder  height,  one  hour,  will  be 
"  To  wed  our  being  to  eternity. 
"  Onward  the  word — no  longer  must  we  pause — 
"  Let  each  translate  his  mind  to  meet  the  cause. 
"  Mark  how  the  hill  is  crimson'd  with  their  gore  ? 
"  Sustained  by  Deity  we  upward  soar ! 

"  Soon  will  the  foe  another  effort  make — 
"  Come !  in  the  glory  of  the  scene  partake  ! 
^'  We  linger — see,  their  broken  ranks  condense — 
'  To  them  will  we  fatality  evince  ! 
'  I'll  be  your  shield  to  guard  you  on  the  way — 
'  The  world's  vast  freedom  we'll  achieve  this  day  y 

His  sword,  the  hero  brandish'd  in  his  might, 
)Vhich  threw  around  him  an  eff'ulgent  fight. 
The  stately  Coit,  with  Chester,  Ford,  and  Clark. 
Caught  from  the  falchion  inspiration's  spark, 

8* 


90  THE    BATTLE    OF 

And  promptly  followed  where  the  veteran  led. 
And  soon  unscathed  they  pass'd  the  defile  dread. 
Yet  numbers  paiPd  with  Gridley  on  the  rear. 
Whose  heart  was  frozen  with  the  ice  of  fear. 
His  father's  valor  purchased  him  a  blade. 
Which  he  thus  recreant  on  the  field  betray'd. 

Putnam  had  half  the  distance  clomb  the  steep. 
When  he  observed  him  still  his  station  keep, 
Not  offering  to  advance !    He  felt  his  soul 
Rise — which  his  reason  hardly  could  control. 
He  rein'd  his  charger,  while  with  firmer  hand, 
He  grasp'd  his  sword  to  make  him  eat  the  sand. 
A  meteor  on  the  wing,  he  seem'd  to  fly. 
When  by  its  bloody  train,  man's  destiny, 
It  dire  forebodes. — 

"  No :  I  will  not  take 
"  Thy  life — I  spare  it  for  thy  father's  sake. 
"  O  how  his  heart  would  sink  within  him — fail, 
"  Should  I  but  whisper  the  disgusting  tale ! 

"  Thus  will  our  country  ever  meet  with  shame, 
"  While  honors  are  bestow'd  upon  a  name. 
''  Because  a  sire  a  glorious  race  has  run, 
^  ^  7e  think  his  virtues  must  inspire  the  son. 


BUNKER   HILL.  91 

"  Thus  shall  we  grovel  on  with  judgment  blind, 
"  Till  man  enfranchised,  shall  proclaim — To  mind-  - 
''  To  worth  alone  distinction  shall  he  given ! 
^'  The  false  pretenders  to  oblivion  driven. 

"  But  to  thy  father  what  a  blot — a  stain ! — 
"  Yet  will  the  state  this  high  instruction  gain, 
"  No  more  on  titles,  or  on  names  to  trust, 
"  But  in  the  virtues  of  the  brave  and  just, 

"  Too  long  I've  held  communion  with  thee  now — 
"  No  foot  hke  thine  should  ever  tread  the  brow 
"  Of  that  immortal  steep  ! — 'twould  bhght  the  cause, 
"  And  make  the  car  of  victory  to  pause." 

He  waved  his  brand  indignant  as  he  spoke. 
And  at  the  dastard  cast  such  piercing  look. 
It  cut  his  heart  as  if  transpierced  with  steel, 
,,   Which  from  his  presence  made  him  backward  reel. 
r      Again  the  veteran  leap'd  the  defile  o'er — 
Yet  heard  he  not  the  cannon's  deafening  roar. 
Which  bellow'd  with  a  tongue  that  shook  the  plain, 
While  death  and  desolation  seem'd  to  reign. 

As  Howe  his  troops  a  second  time  led  forth, 
The  hero  stood  upon  the  glorious  earth, 


92  THE    BATTLE    OF 

And  gave  his  orders  not  to  move  a  nerve, 
Till  they  around  them  should  begin  to  curve, 
Then  w^ould  the  signal  to  explode  be  given. 
To  prove  they  battled  on  the  side  of  heaven. 

While  thus  maintain'd  the  patriots  their  reserve, 
Unshaken  as  if  steel  composed  their  nerve, 
Their  passions  rose  not, — neither  vs^ere  depressed. 
Unmoved — a-s  if  that  granite  vs^alPd  their  breast. 

What  time  in  solid  wedge  th'  assailants  press, 
Putnam  the  cannon  levels  vs^ith  address. 
Ford  whirls  the  match — applies  it  to  the  vent — 
A  gashful  opening  through  the  cube  is  rent. 
They  lock  at  once,  by  pride  and  wrath  impelPd, 
And  hold  a  steady  progress  on  the  field. 
The  chief  directs  another  deadly  aim — 
As  soon  they  close  the  fatal  breach  the  same. 

Mean  time  as  thus  the  British  strength  drew  near, 
Again  the  voice  of  Warren  charm'd  the  ear. 

"  Heroes  !  I  feel  that  silence  would  express 
"  More  strong  than  words  what  future  years  will 

bless — 
"  Your  briUiant  exploits  this  illustrious  day — 
^  Exploits  to  live  till  nature  shall  decay: 


BUNKER   HILL.  93 

"  Yet  something  struggling  in  my  bosom  speaks, 

"  Which  for  reUef  a  ventive  utterance  seeks. 

"  Another  consecration  is  at  hand, 

"  For  lo,  approaches  th'  enslaving  band. 

"  Methinks  the  chains  and  manicles  I  see 

"  To  bind  our  limbs  for  daring  to  be  free. 

"  Just  God  !  before  their  shackles  we'll  receive, 

"^  Here  on  this  altar  will  we  cease  to  Uve ! 

"  But  ere  we  fall,  we'll  price  our  blood  so  dear, 

"  That  them  we'll  bankrupt  till  the  final  year — 

^'  Not  all  the  wealth  of  Thames  or  India's  stream, 

"  Will  e'er  to  them,  their  loss  this  day  redeem. 

"  These  showering  ashes  from  the  burning  towii| 
''  Are  precious  as  the  manna  raining  down 
^  To  feed  our  country  with  the  bread  of  life, 
^'  Till  she  through  tribulation  wins  the  strife. 
"  Yea,  toils  and  tribulations  will  she  see — 
"  I5ut  come  it  will,  the  year  of  jubilee  !" 

He  ceased.     The  Britons  suddenly  display- 
Like  pride  in  madness  they  renew  the  fraj. 
The  cutting  bullets  sing  upon  the  breeze — 
Yet  few  the  life  of  a  Columbian  seize. 
The  thigh  of  aged  Buckminster  is  broke. 
Yet  still  his  countenance  betrays  no  look 


94  THE    BATTLE    OF 

That  felt  had  he  the  passing  of  the  ball, 

Which  caused  him  backward  from  his  post  to  fall : 

"  S^and  fast,  my  youthful  comrades !  heed  me  not— 
"  No :  though  I  die  I  will  not  leave  the  spot. 
"  With  mine  own  hand  the  ruptured  vein  I'll  stanch, 
"  And  jealous  watch  if  any  cheek  shall  blanch." 

His  age,  his  manner,  waken'd  a  regard, 
That  all  impressive  with  his  feelings  shared. 

At  length  the  Albions  reach  the  point  desired, 
While  each  stands  fix'd  with  inspiration  fired. 

Prescott  exclaims :  "  They  press  the  fatal  verge— 
"  To  do  for  death  your  souls  I  need  not  urge. 
'^  The  sword  of  Putnam  gleams  to  mark  the  time — 
"It  falls!" 

With  calmness  reaching  the  sublime. 
The  patriots  pour  a  centred  volley  forth. 
Causing  another  layer  to  seal  the  earth 
Of  thickening  grume.    WilUams  and  Spentlove  fall 
While  numbers  shrieking  for  assistance  call. 
Though  death  pursued  each  consecrated  round. 
They  only  gazed  to  heaven  with  look  profound — 
A  look  it  was  that  show'd  their  hearts  were  there, 
With  every  bosom  for  their  country  bare. 


BUNKER   HILL.  95 

Th'  assailants  reePd  as  if  with  blood  made  drunk, 
And  with  their  anguish  in  convulsion  shrunk. 
But  in  the  chiefs  a  desperation  rose. 
Causing  the  faltering  ranks  to  stand — to  close. 
Lo,  one  by  one,  these  chiefs  are  seen  no  more-— 
The  earth  is  drinking  their  expiring  gore. 
Others  rush  forward  to  their  places  soon, 
But  presently  are  these  observed  to  swoon. 
*  They  show  like  passing  shadows  on  the  eye, 
That  now  are  seen,  then  lost  in  vacancy. 
At  this  vast  cost  of  life,  Howe  yet  had  power, 
To  hold  the  dubious  conflict  of  the  hour — 
Still,  still  the  Britons  their  position  held. 
And  flame  with  flame  the  battle-storm  repelM. 
At  times  a  patriot  in  his  glory  fell. 
Whose  spirit's  upward  flight  illumed  the  hiU : 

As  when  air,  water,  flame,  contentious  meet, 
And  with  a  rushing  violence  compete  5 
Pillars  of  fire  from  out  the  ocean  burst — 
Huge  mountains  crumble — cities  turn  to  dust : 
Such  the  vast  turbulence — the  wasting  scene — 
The  sun  is  darken'd  in  his  course  serene. 
The  flames  of  Charlestown  mingle  in  the  war — 
The  circling  heights  with  the  concussion  jar, 


06  THE    BATTLE    OF    BUNKER   HILL. 

Causing  the  gazing  multitudes  to  reel, 
While  they  a  deep — an  awful  impulse  feel, 
As  if  the  scales  of  life  and  death  were  there 
In  equal  poise — yet  balanced  by  a  hair  ! 
Each  breast  was  corded — every  eye  was  set, 
While  on  their  brows  stood  drops  of  icy  sweat-^ 
Each  in  himself  absorbed  ; — no  organ  stirr'd — 
Not  e'en  the  voice  of  female  breath  was  heard. 
Mothers  knew  not  the  features  of  their  child — 
All  seem'd  like  chiselPd  marble  rapt  and  wild. 

At  length  the  foe  stand  leaning  on  a  poise — 
And  less  and  less  is  heard  th'  embatthng  noise. 
They  give — ^recede  ! — the  hill  once  more  is  free, 
Which  breaks  the  pang  of  gazing  agony. 


BUNKER    HILL 


Canto  IV 


BUNKER    HILL 


Argument. — Howe  is  reinforced  by  Clinton — ^The  third  assault- 
Distress  of  the  patriots  for  the  want  of  refreshments — Death  of  Warren — 
Deatli  of  young  Psescott — Gardner  is  mortally  wounded  while  leading  on 
the  reserve — Edwin  takes  leave  of  his  dying  father — He  slays  Rich- 
ardson— Parker  falls — Death  of  Pitcarn — Moore  expires  upon  the  body  of 
Wairen.  Death  of  McClary — Abercrombie  slain — Howe  is  wounded — 
Both  armies  exhausted — The  British  divisions  having  pressed  up  opposite 
each  other,  are,  consequently,  prevented  from  using  their  fire-arms,  hence 
a  new  position  becomes  necessary — While  arrangements  are  making  for 
this  movement,  the  Columbians,  being  unsupported,  gradually  recede  from 
the  height. 

Scene — Copps  Hill  and  Charlestown  Heights. 

The  time  is  about  five  hours — from  the  conclusion  of  the  third  canto  till 
Bunset. 


Canto   IV. 

The  mean  time  Gage  upon  the  adverse  shore. 
Writhing  with  anguish,  mark'd  the  streaming  gore  ; 
When  back  a  second  time  his  legions  fell. 
He  beat  his  breast  though  tortured  on  the  wheel. 
Near  him  stood  Clinton  rapt  with  silent  tongue, 
Who  by  expression  show'd  his  heart  was  wrung : 


100  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  Haste,  Clinton,  haste,  and  navigate  the  tide, 
"  And  prove  thy  spirit  is  vs^ith  death  allied. 
"  Should  now^  the  sun  set  bloody  in  the  skies, 
"  It  never  more  on  Britain  vs^ould  arise." 
"  Why  do  I  strive  unutterable  speech — 
"  I  feel  distraction ! — Onward  to  the  beach, 
'''  And  vs^ith  the  bayonet,  a  submission  teach." 

Soon  with  his  troops  is  Clinton  on  the  stream, 
Bearing  the  implements  of  war  supreme  : 
Him  to  support  are  Addison  and  Page — 
Grant,  Richardson — eager  to  engage — 
Their  passions  sharpen'd  to  the  keenest  edge ; 
But  yet  far  different  are  the  thoughts  to  those, 
That  first  in  panoply  of  war  arose — 
Whom  Howe,  as  if  to  practice  on  re\  lew. 
From  Boston,  deck'd  with  nodding  plumes,  withdrew. 

They  meet,  on  their  return,  his  barges  slow, 
Struggling  their  way  along,  oppressed  with  wo. 
Blood  from  the  wounded  makes  them  deeper  sink- 
Some  just  expired — while  others  on  the  brink 
Of  death's  steep  precipice^  shudder  as  they  fall, 
While  piteous,  some  for  drops  of  water  call. 
Others,  the  anguish  in  their  bosoms  lock. 
And  with  cramp'd  features  at  their  torture  mock. 


BUNKER   HILL.  101 

Some  with  stern  brows  gaze  hateful  at  the  Height, 
As  if  their  very  look  the  stars  would  bliglit. 
The  most  wore  different  badges  of  command, 
Which  now  were  torn  and  soiPd  with  blood  and 

sand. 
This  show'd  a  hectic  flush  upon  his  cheek ; 
That  pale — eye  closed  with  resignation  meek. 
These  heavy  breathing,  told  their  brain  was  press'd — 
Those  tasted  air,  yet  motionless  their  breast  5 
Others  their  broken  limbs  delirious  swung, 
And  leaping  frantic  in  the  waters  spiurg. 

This  scene  of  various  suffering  made  the  eye 
Grow  sick — the  heart  beat  faint  like  infancy. 
But  soon  the  Clinton  barges  struck  the  shore. 
When  torturing  vengeance  made  ambition  soar. 

Their  evolutions,  as  they  disembark. 
Kindles  their  warring  passions  from  a  spark. 
Howe's  scattered  forces  close  upon  the  rear — 
Yet  still  their  countenance  is  cast  with  fear. 
They  gaze  at  each  mistrustful  and  estranged, 
As  if  their  thoughts  through  terror  were  deranged. 

Chnton  his  cannon,  at  command  of  Howe, 
Planted — to  rake  the  works  upon  the  brow, 

9* 


102  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Where  Prescott  held  command — ^whose  towering 

soul 
Shrinks  not  to  hear  the  deep  explosions  roll, 
Though  every  ball  leaves  ruin  in  its  path. 
Threatening  the  slender  battlements  to  scath 

In  three  divisions  the  assailants  form — 
At  once  the  front  and  either  flank  to  storm — 
Howe  in  the  centre,  Pigot  on  the  right, 
While  Abercrombie,  to  commence  the  fight. 
Was  with  the  left  to  move  in  manner  proud, 
The  music  beating  clangorous  discord  loud. 
Howe  seized  th'  occasion — all  his  soul  put  forth 
To  keep  their  thoughts  from  stooping  to  the  earth. 

"  This  movement  is  our  last !  Should  now  we  fail, 
"  The  thousand-headed  monster  will  prevail — 
"  Rebellion — far  more  hideous  in  its  shape, 
"  Than  gorgon  fiends  that  e'er  from  hell  escape. 
"  Anointed  royalty  will  be  disgraced, 
"  Its  jewels  tarnish'd  and  its  robes  defaced. 
"  Behold,  a  continent  we  win  or  lose  ! 
"  'Tis  now  for  us  our  destiny  to  choose, 
"  Either  to  be  the  sport  of  vulgar  jest, 
'^  Or  wear  the  star  of  honor  on  our  breast ! 


BUNKER   HILL  103 

"  Select  your  choice ; — unalterable  is  mine — 
^'  To  live  or  die  for  monarchy  divine  !" 

He  ended.     With  a  shout  they  rend  the  air, 
And  bring  at  once  their  bristling  arms  to  bear. 
Slow  as  they  gain  upon  their  object  higher, 
They  seem  as  clouds  on  wings  of  fire. 

Still  glorious  waved  the  banner  of  the  free. 
Like  hope  when  floating  on  a  boisterous  sea. 
Beneath  its  folds  is  no  distinction  seen — 
The  chieftains  fought,  or  labor'd  with  the  men. 
One  sentiment  alone  inspired  the  band — 
A  unity  of  heart — a  unity  of  hand. 
The  will  was  strong,  but  nature  now  began 
To  faint,  to  yield — and  prove  they  were  but  man. 
They  through  the  night,  unceasing  had  pursued 
Their  giant  toils  without  sustaining  food  5 
And  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  till  noon, 
Their  hearts  had  beat  the  same  inspiring  tune ; 
Twice  they  in  conflict  had  withstood  the  foe, 
And  caused  the  fountains  of  his  life  to  flow—  • 
But  now  at  length,  they  biting  hunger  feel. 
More  sharp,  more  cruel  than  the  lancing  steeL 


J  04  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Their  vessels  long  of  water  had  been  dry, 

While  every  fibre  seem'd  w^ith  heat  to  fry. 

What  vs^ith  the  ashes  of  the  blazing  town. 

And  the  sun  pouring  liquid  fire  down, 

It  makes  the  particles  of  blood  to  burn, 

Threatening  the  balance  of  the  brain  to  turn ; 

A  restlessness  of  countenance — the  eye 

Glaring — reveals  a  fearful  agony. 

Still  no  complaint  is  utter'd — none, — suppress'd 

Is  every  murmur — lock'd  within  the  breast. 

They'd  pledged  themselves  to  die — the  pledge  thus 

given. 
They  see  attested  in  the  book  of  heaven. 

Though  thus  were  their  privations — thus  their  pain, 
It  vanish'd  all,  when  Howe  advanced  again ! 
From  hunger  they  at  once  seem'd  bounteous  fed. 
As  if  they'd  feasted  on  celestial  bread  5 
Slaked  was  their  thirst,  as  if  they'd  drank  of  wine, 
From  grapes  that  ripen'd  in  a  soil  divine — - 
From  every  pore,  a  healthy  moisture  flow'd. 
While  in  their  cheek  a  rising  impulse  glow'd. 

Beside  the  gallant  Prescott,  Warren  now 
Stood,  dignity  serene  upon  his  brow. 


BUNKER   HILL.  105 

His  voice  had  music  as  if  tuned  in  heaven, 
While  inspiration  to  his  thoughts  was  given : 

"  Behold,  once  more  with  strength  renew'd,  they 
come 
'*  To  make  this  hill  the  place  of  Freedom's  tomb. 
"  In  three  divisions  disciplined  they  press, 
"  While  heavy  cannonry  our  works  distress — 
"  But  on  this  altar  have  we  pledged  to  die — 
^'  Here  will  our  bones  in  deathless  slumber  lie — 
"  Our  names  inscribed  in  registers  on  high. 
"  Oft  as  this  day  shall  number  in  the  year, 
"  Our  children's  children  will  assemble  here, 
"  And  pour  to  heaven  their  adorations  forth, 
''  That  on  this  spot  had  Liberty  her  birth  ! 
"  How  grand,  how  rich,  how  ravishing  the  theme  ! 
•'  Glad  would  my  soul  take  wing  upon  the  flame, 
"  If  on  this  Height,  but  written  be  my  name  ! — 

« 'Tis  written  !"— 

Prescott  clasps  him  to  his  breast — 
"  What  bliss  is  mine  to  find  such  glorious  rest !" 

Here  language  faiPd  him,  but  his  eye  still  sjioke 
With  eloquence — for  heaven  pour'd  thought  upon 
his  look. 


106  THE    BATTLE    OF 

He  gazed  upon  the  flag,  then  raised  his  hand^ 
As  if  to  bless  the  symbol  of  the  land 
This  done — it  gently  on  his  bosom  fell — 
He   smiled  like  infant  sleep  and  bade  the  world 
farewell : 

On  Holyoke's  mountain  thus  in  grandeur  stood 
A  pine,  the  most  majestic  of  the  wood. 
An  everlasting  verdure  crown'd  its  boughs, 
In  which,  her  resting-place  the  eagle  chose, 
When  tiring  in  the  sun,  her  wing  she  bent 
To  visit  the  terrestrial  element.  • 
As  up  to  heaven  returned  the  morning  dew, 
A  goodly  shadow  o'er  the  land  it  threw. 
When  round  it  storms  condensed  in  fearful  might, 
It  still  maintained  its  glory  on  the  height — 
Nor  winter  blasts,  nor  summer  heats  could  blight. 
But  lo,  from  out  the  armory  of  heaven^ 
A  bolt  descends  ! — its  vigorous  trunk  is  riven — 
It  falls — The  eagle  mourns  her  favorite  tree — 
To  her,  a  solace  in  her  nest  'twill  be 
To  teach  her  young  its  glorious  history : 

Thus  Warren  fell  with  all  his  honors  green, 
In  ruins,  yet  with  dignity  serene ; 


BUNKER   HILL.  107 

And  mothers  with  a  tear  upon  their  cheek. 
Will  teach  their  lisping  babes,  his  name,  the  first  to 
speak. 

''  How  beautiful  in  death  the  chief  appears !" 
(Thus  Prescott  rapt  and  smiling  through  his  tears.) 
"  A  rich  oblation  on  the  altar  laid, 
"  Where  future  adorations  will  be  paid 
"  To  all  who  here  their  resting-place  select — 
"  Not  cankering  time  their  memories  will  effect — 
''  But  with  the  years,  more  flourishing  will  bloom 
"  The  amaranth  of  glory  on  their  tomb ! 
*'  Here  let  me  slumber — ^'tis  a  boon  I  crave — 
"  To  sleep  with  Warren,  what  a  deathless  grave ! 

"  But  see  !  the  sword  of  Putnam  gives  the  sign — 
"  Now  prove  his  spirit  dwells  with  us  divine  !" 

Keen  flash'd  the  fires  like  centre-Hghtnings  driven, 
Commission'd  with  the  wrath  of  angry  heaven. 
Five  chiefs  of  royalty  the  instant  fell — 
The  columns  pause  disordered  on  the  hill — 
Shrieks,  wounds,  and  death  ensue  at  every  peal : 

As  when  at  evening  in  the  midst  of  June, 
Just  at  the  rising  of  the  full-orb'd  moon, 
The  sultry  vapors  in  the  west  condense, 
Brewing  thick  wrath  for  coming  violence. 


108  THE  BATTLE  OF 

The  hurrying  clouds  like  mustering  troops  collect* 
When  they  some  sudden  desperate  deed  project. 
Pale  lightnings  flash, — remote  the  thunders  drear. 
Send  forth  a  muttering  language  round  the  sphere, 
Threatening  and  deep.  The  moon  overcast  with  haze. 
Throws  on  the  elements  a  lurid  gaze. 
Upward  and  vast  the  struggling  volumns  heave. 
While  on  the  hills  the  pines  begin  to  grieve 
Portentous  of  distress — Behold,  with  fear, 
They  stoop  their  heads,  for  lo  !  in  mad  career 
Rushes  the  tempest  with  a  bolt  from  heaven, 
As  if  the  granite  base  of  earth  were  riven. 
The  storm  advancing  on  the  whirlwind's  breath, 
Seals  up  the  western  hemisphere  with  death. 
The  moon  still  throws  across  the  heavens  a  light* 
Which  just  makes  visible  the  hideous  night. 
Wailing/ murderous  shrieks — Presently  a  cloud 
Muffles  her  face  as  with  a  coffin  shroud. 
And  now  the  blazing  lightnings  belt  the  sky. 
While  thunders  hold  their  awful  revelry. 
Chaos,  mounting  his  courser,  void  of  rein, 
Tosses  the  clouds  upon  the  hurricane :     , 

Not  this  unlike  the  fierce  contention  dire, 
Wrapp'd  in  the  foldings  of  exploding  fire,  - 


BUNKER   HILL.  .  109 

The  flames  of  Charlestown  in  their  fiercest  rage, 
With  the  blurr'd  elements  a  conflict  wage ; 
The  smoke  in  cumberous  volumes  in  mid  air, 
Hangs  like  death's  drapery  o'er  the  scene  of  war,. 

Young  Prescott,  nephew  of  the  chief,  imbibed 
His  uncle's  spirit  ne'er  to  be  proscribed 
By  mandates  issued  or  by  king  or  lord. 
So  long  as  strength  had  he  to  grasp  a  sword. 
Rapid  his  motions,  yet  deliberate,  cool 
His  mind — ^to  strike  the  breast  or  bore  the  skull. 
Jordon  in  robes  of  royalty  array 'd. 
Urges  his  cohorts  with  exciting  blade, 
Sending  his  voice  before  him  on  the  hill — 
The  youth  but  marks  him — and  his  voice  is  still  I 
His  gold  and  silver  robes  expose  their  dross — 
Besoil'd,  the  proud  one  welters  in  the  fosse. 

A  bullet  in  the  ear  of  Prescott  sings — 
His  arm  beside  him,  broken,  useless  swings. 
Resting  his  piece,  he  with  the  other  loads, 
And  thus  repeatedly  the  foe  he  goads. 

His  uncle  binds  him  to  his  heart :  "  My  son ! 

"  1  feel  my  blood  within  thy  veins  to  run 

"  Retire — encourage  with  thy  voice  the  troop, 

"  Never  from  their  integrity  to  stoop"-^ 

If 


110  THE   BATTLE   OF 

"  My  dearest  uncle" — 

Lo  !  to  him  is  given 
The  wonderful  exchange  of  earth  for  heaven  I 
Of  him,  no  mortal  part  remains — entire, 
Elijah-like  he  rose  on  wrings  of  fire. 

His  uncle  stood  astounded  for  a  time, 
Rapt  in  the  attitude  of  awe  sublime. 
The  ponderous  globe  had  jarr'd  him  as  it  pass'd, 
While  round  his  brows  a  circling  Hght  was  cast, 
Resembling  that  which  we  in  cascades  see. 
Testing  the  presence  of  divinity. 

The  troops  the  marvellous  display  beheld — 
They  felt  the  cause  with  inspiration  seaPd, 
And  deep,  and  rapid,  deadlier  volleys  peaPd. 

Mean  time  reserved  the  hoary  Gardner  stood. 
While    beat    his    pulse    with    young    ambition's 

blood — 
Ambitious  that  his  country  might  be  freed. 
And  he  partake  of  the  illustrious  deed. 
He  saw  the  Britons  pause  upon  the  hill — 
No  longer  he  restrain'd  his  troops,  their  will : 

"  Warriors  !  the  pressure  calls  us  to  the  height, 
^  There  to  put  forth  the  sinew  of  our  might. 


BUNKER   HILL.  IH 

"  Though  leads  our  path  through  scenes  of  thickest 

war, 
"  Not  death  itself  must  cause  a  nerve  to  jar." 

A  firm,  calm  spirit  shone  in  every  eye. 
To  do  such  deeds  as  might  with  Spartans  vie. 
Rapidly  they  move.     Soon  the  dubious  fray. 
From  Bunker's  towering  summit  they  survey — 
The  hill  beneath  them  like  Vesuvius  seem'd. 
While  the  warm  blood  in  smoking  torrents  stream'd. 

"  To  heaven  ascends  a  pyramid  of  fire — 
^'  There  would  I  choose  to  light  my  funeral  pyre, 
"  Where  from  my  blood  would  rise" — 

"  Pause  not  for  me — 
^'  A  vision  glorious  in  my  death  I  see — 
"  I  rest  in  peace.     My  country  will  be  free !" 

The  hot  keen  bullet  cut  the  tender  groin, 
And  buried  in  the  bone  that  forms  the  loin. 
The  scorching  anguish  burnt  upon  the  brain. 
Yet  he  appear'd  as  if  he  felt  no  pain. 
Trevett  delay'd  his  step  to  bear  him  hence, 
But  his  look  gave  impressive. evidence, 
That  if  he  wish'd  a  kindness  to  bestoW; 
Onward  to  press  and  lead  against  the  foe. 


112  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Young  Gardner  next  to  Trevett  held  command, 
And  on  the  rear  he  bore  his  ghttering  brand — 
Blest  by  the  touch  of  his  Martha's  hand. 
He  at  the  moment  that  his  father  fell. 
Had  just  commenced  ascending  of  the  hill —  | 

But  the  progressive  movement  of  the  men. 
Soon  brought  him  to  behold  the  harrovs^ing  scene. 

He  heard  his  voice  encouraging  the  troop. 
Never  from  their  integrity  to  stoop ; 
But  when  he  saw  him  overlaid  with  gore, 
And  that  the  period  of  his  life  was  o'er. 
He  fell  in  speechless  agony  and  flung 
His  arms  about  him  and  convulsive  clung. 
And  press'd  him  to  his  heart,  while  on  his  cheek, 
Gush'd  the  hot  tears — unable  yet  to  speak : 

"  And  must  we  here  forever — ever  part ! 
''  I  see  existence  fluttering  from  thy  heart. 
"  My  father— 

"  Ah,  that  name  is  now  no  more — 
^'  Fast  art  thou  travelhng  to  that  unknown  shore  !"     | 

The  anguish  of  his  soul  his  voice  o'erpowcr'd — 
Triumphant  over  death  the  hero  tower'd : 

"  It  cannot  be  that  thou  art  still  my  son  ? 
*  What,  Edwin !  grieve  that  thus  my  sands  are  run^: 


BUNKER    H  LL.  U3 

"  Thus  glorious  to  expire  will  change  to  gold 
"  Each  particle  the  glass  of  time  has  told. 
"  This  life  I  freely  to  my  country  give, 
'  That  she  exempt  from  tyranny  may  live. 

"  If  thou  vs^ouldst  have  me  bless  thee  in  my  deaths 
^  On  to  the  battle  and  thy  brovs^s  enwreath 
'^  With  laurel,  fadeless  as  this  day  will  be — 
"  And  prove  thy  father's  spirit  lives  in  thee. 
"  On — pause  ye  not — let  wrath  dry  up  thy  tear — 
"  Yea,  let  my  blood  give  vengeance  to  thy  spear — 
"  'Tis  second  death  to  see  you  linger  here  !" 

His  son  arose.     His  tears  were  dried  in  flame. 
Which  at  the  instant  kindled  through  his  frame. 
He  gazed  upon  his  father's  closing  e)  j — 

"  But  one  embrace — the  last  before  you  die  !" 

Again  the  cording  of  his  heart  gave  way, — 
Back  from  his  gushing  eyes  he  dash'd  the  spray. 
Once  more  he  held  him  in  his  arms  and  press  d 
His  paUid  hps,  and  pour'd  upon  his  breast 
The  raindrops  of  the  soul.     And  now  he  rose 
Calm — as  if  inwardly  he  felt  repose. 
He  grasp'd  his  sword — he  lingered  not — yet  fell 
One  accent  more  :  "  Farewell !  in  heaven,  farewell  P 


114  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  In  yonder  field,  but  give  my  spirit  rest, 
"  And  I  will  hail  thee  in  the  mansions  blest !" 

He  waved  his  hand.     Edwin  advanced  his  sword 
Towards  the  strife,  but  utter'd  not  a  word. 
His  father's  blood  upon  his  bosom  dwelt, 
While  aspirations,  not  of  earth  he  felt. 
One  look  he  gave  his  sire,  and  then  to  heaven, 
He  cast  his  eye,  as  if  to  be  forgiven. 
That  he  so  long  had  linger'd  from  the  field. 
Where  victory  an  even  balance  held — 
Perhaps  large  fountains  by  his  hand  had  streamed — 
Perhaps  his  arm,  his  country  had  redeem'd ! — 
The  father  smiled  upon  his  son  in  death — 
Oppress'd  with  transport  he  resign'd  his  breath. 

Young  Gardner  rushes  mid  the  thickest  strife 
With  desperation,  prodigal  of  life. 
The  foe  gives  way  before  him,  for  his  eye 
Glows  like  a  meteor  that  inflames  the  sky. 

Proud  Richardson  chagrinM,  yet  chafing  saw 
The  band  that  he  commanded  pause — withdraw  : 

"  What !  shall  we  fail  to  execute  our  will  ? 
''  Never ! — resistless  with  the  bayonet  kill ! 
"  Through  every  vein,  let  burning  lava  run — 
''  We  rise— we  strike ; — behold,  the  work  is  done  !" 


BUNKER   HILL  115 

He  rushes  on  the  youth — the  blow  is  met — 
Swords  clash — glance  fire,  while  foot  to  foot  is  set. 
Soon  Richardson  perceives  his  breath  grows  short— 
His  features  cramp'd,  with  haggard  death  distort. 
His  knees  relax — ^they  sink  beneath  his  weight — 
Gardner  suspends  his  sword — but  ah,  too  late  ! 
Its  edge  already  had  the  artery  rent. 
Through  which  the  blood  towards  the  hand  is  sent, 
Just  at  the  armpit.     Such  the  passions  were, 
He  knew  not  when  was  laid  the  vessel  bare — 
He  springs  erect  as  in  the  act  to  thrust, — 
He  falling  mingles  with  primeval  dust. 

"  Now  will  my  father's  spirit  rest  in  peace, 
"  For  I  a  ghost  have  sent  to  his  release. 
"  An  edge  this  blade,  Martha's  touch  hath  given, 
"  As  if  'twere  temper'd  in  the  fire  of  heaven." 

This  Edwin  having  said,  he  kiss'd  the  hilt. 
Which  her  sweet  *lips  had  press'd  when  she  the  belt 
Had  fix'd.     New  ardor  burifs  through  every  nerve, 
Giving  his  arm  a  more  determined  curve. 
He  meets  with  Frye — like  pestilence  they  smite, 
Causing  disaster  where  they  spend  their  might. 

Again  the  Albions  shrink — but  Pigot,  Howe, 
And  Fitcarn,  Abercrombie,  bind  them  now ; 


116  THK    BATTLE    OF 

For  lo,  the  freedom- volleys  seem  to  wane, 
Or  they  had  turn'd  and  scattered  to  the  plain. 
But  this  revived  them,  drooping  in  despair — 
And  Howe  advancing  with  undaunted  air, 
Pronounced  the  maddening  onset :  "  Onward  press 
"  See — hearken !  in  exhaustion,  less  and  less 
"  The  rebel-fires  stream  forth  !  Divisions  !  rush, 
And  at  a  blow  th'  audacious  treason  crush !" 

They  heard  his  voice,  as  if  they  ne'er  before 
Had  trod  the  hill  and  seen  it  drench'd  in  gore. 

They  leap'd  the  fosse  to  climb  the  parapet— 
They  strove — but  still  unsparing  death  their  path 

beset  5 
For  now  the  patriots  having  spent  their  all — 
The  quickening  dust  t'  electrify  the  ball. 
They  turn'd  their  weapons,  and  with  giant  blows, 
Beat  back  th'  assailants  as  in  steel  they  rose. 
No  bristhng  points  have  they  to  pierce  the  breast, 
Yet  still  they  stand  andiwith  the  foe  contest. 
Helmets  are  cleft  on  high,  while  foot  to  foot, 
They  battle,  gathering  an  immortal  fruit — 
A  fruit — whose  flavor  will  ascend  to  heaven, 
And  a  rich  harvest  to  the  earth  be  given. 


BUNKER   HILL.  117 

This  thirsting  steel  is  from  opponent  wrench'd, 
And  in  his  bosom  is  its  burnings  quench'd  ; 
These  grasp  with  sinewy  muscle,  till  in  death, 
Or  one  or  both,  surrender  up  their  breath. 

Still  fierce  and  bolder  th'  assailants  crowd — 
Arms   clash    arms — dying    groans — shouts  peaHnn 

loud. 
Gordon  and  Williams,  Addison, — in  turn 
Are  cloven  down  and  clasp  death's  sable  urn. 
The  summit  round  receives  a  fearful  stain, 
As  if  that  heaven  had  pour'd  a  sanguine  rain. 

At  length,  Howe  tortured,  rushes  in  advance. 
While  streaming  sparkles  from  his  falchion  glance, 
Urging  the  troops  to  give  him  their  support, 
And  make  a  terrible — a  last  effort. 

They  climb  the  parapet — the  heroes  there, 
With  blows  and  thrusts,  compel  them  to  forbear ; 
Again  they  mount, — determin'd  to  obey 
Their  chief— and  all  their  energy  display. 

Now  Pitcarn  twice  the  parapet  had  scaled. 
And  twice  against  him,  Parker's  arm  prevail'd ; 
But  lo,  supported  by  a  numerous  train, 
Parker  is  presently  o'erpower'd  and  slain. 


118  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Nine  bayonets  pierced  him,  stomach,  breast,  and 

side — 
He  rich  with  honor  for  his  country  died. 

As  Pitcarn  shouted  victory  on  high, 
Prescott  beheld  him  with  a  stern-fix'd  eye — 
Three  brawny  soldiers  sunk  beneath  his  might. 
Ere  he  could  meet  the  ruffian  in  the  fight — 
He  thought  of  Lexington — his  murders  there — 
It  gave  ^lim  strength — a  lion  in  his  lair. 

"  Thou  agent  of  oppression,  bite  the  dust  V 
He  plunged  upon  him  with  a  fatal  thrust — 
Rage  drove  the  steel  till  deaden'd  by  the  hilt — 
The  floodgates  open'd,  soon  his  life  was  spilt. 
His  body  gasping  down  th'  embankment  rolPd, 
While  blood  and  dust  besoiPd  his  royal  gold. 

His  son  was  on  his  rear  to  bear  him  through — 
He  caught  him  in  his  arms  and  wild  withdrew, 
Kissing  his  quivering  lips,  with  foamy  gore 
Bestain'd — showing  that  his  career  was  o'er 
Him  in  a  waiting  barge  he  gently  laid, 
A.nd  with  fix'd  gaze,  his  countenance  surveyed. 
His  struggling  now  excites  a  transient- blush, 
While  from  the  wound,  the  purple  fountains  gush. 


BUNKER   HILL.  119 

His  eyes  begin  to  close — ^his  cheeks  wax  pale — 
He    starts, — pulse  fluttering    through    exhaustion, 

fail- 
Wandering  they  return, — then,  intermit 
Between  the  spasms  of  his  dying  fit. 
He  raises  now  his  hand  his  son  to  bless. 
Who  seizing  grasps  it  with  convulsive  press. 
3e  wipes  the  dew  as  fast  as  it  collects. 
And  from  his  lips,  the  foam  that  he  ejects     • 
From  off  his  vitals,  causing  in  his  throat 
A  hollow  rattling — death's  portentous  note. 

Th'  affecting  scene  drew  tears  from  friend  and  foe. 
For  hearts  not  marble,  sympathize  with  wo. 

As  close  and  closer  press'd  the  bayonets, — still, 
More  desperate  the  Columbians  kept  the  hill. 
Putnam  was  ever  foremost  in  the  fray — 
He  stands  a  tower  where  numbers  faint — give  way. 
The  arms  of  Pomeroy  stream  with  smoking  blood — 
They  break  the  cisterns  and  let  out  the  flood. 
Stark  bathed  in  sweat  with  Pigot  bold  contends. 
And  soon  him  backward  from  the  mound  he  sends. 

When  Howe  beheld  the  bleeding  Pitcarn  roll 
Unsightly  down  the  steep,  wrath  seized  his  soul. , 


120  THE    BATTLE    OF 

"  I'll  meet  with  single  arm  that  rebel  foe  t 
^^  Vengeance  is  mine  to  bring  the  traitor  low ! 
"Dastards!  give  place — ^ye  hinder  me  the  way— 
"  Ye  are  not  worthy  to  abide  the  fray. 
"  Not  I  will  live  another  day  to  see — 
"  Here — here  will  I  commence  eternity ! 
"  Onward  ! — give  place" — 

"  He  rush'd  upon  the  mound, 
Where  dealing  death,  he  gallant  Prescott  found — 
Frye,  Edwin,  Brooks,  McClary,  Pomeroy,  Moore, 
Beside  him  stood,  but  so  begrimed  with  gore. 
Scarce  could  the  eye  recognize  who  they  were — 
Their  bosoms  open  and  their  arms  stripp'd  bare. 
Strewing  around  them  havoc  and  despair. 

Moore  met  the  haughty  Briton  in  his  rage, 
And  aim'd  a  blow  his  life  to  disengage  5 
But  Howe  the  weapon  parried  from  his  brain, 
And  open'd  with  his  sword  the  throbbing  vein, 
Which  leading  upward,  furnishes  the  head 
With  inspiration,  wrapp'd  in  mystery  dread. 
Where  Warren  press'd  the  earth,  the  hero  fell, 
And  him  embracing  thus :  "  Patriots  !  farewell  1 
''  A  nobler  grave  than  this  I  not  desire — 
u  I've  glorious  fought  and  gloriously  expire." 


BUNKER   HILL  121 

This  said — his  sword  he  places  on  his  breast, 
Which  sooths  his  spirit  as  he  sinks  to  rest. 

Prescott  the  mean  time  wrestled  with  the  chief — 
Till  numerous  bayonets  press'd  to  his  relief. 
With  living  steel  they  compass  him  around — 
Howe,  at  the  instant  falters  with  a  wound — 
The  anguish  cut  his  heart ; — his  heel  was  broke — 
His  lofty  frame  with  trembling  weakness  shook. 
Prescott  perceived  the  panic  and  dismay, 
And  through  the  steely  circle  carves  his  way 
By  Brooks  supported,  Pomeroy,  Frye — But  lo, 
McClary  falls  from  a  pursuing  blow — 

By  liis  tremendous  arm,  three  skulls  were  rent — 

The  lock's  projection  through  the  casement  sent — 

But  now  upon  the  chief,  a  rush  is  made. 

And  through  his  neck  is  plunged  the  reeking  blade. 

The  scimitar  of  Pomeroy  smites  the  foe. 

And  makes  his  hand  the  fatal  steel  forego — 

Too  late  !  A  shivering  seizes  on  his  limbs. 

While  o'er  his  sight  the  film  of  darkness  swims. 

Not  death  could  change  his  features,  for  his  eye 

Expresses  joy  in  such  a  scene  to  die. 

His  soul  mounts  upward  to  her  native  sphere, 

His  body  resting  on  the  patriot's  bier 

11 


122  THE    BATTLE    OP 

His  native  soil,  more  honorable  far. 
Than  borne  in  state  upon  a  gorgeous  car. 

Now  Abercrombie  passing  o'er  his  corse, 
Delivers  this  excitement  to  his  force : 

"  Shout  to  the  heavens  ! — the  victory  is  ours ! 
"  The  Lion  from  resistance  mightier  towers ! 
u  We've  choked  the  current  of  rebellion's  flood, 
'^  And  seal'd  its  fountain  up  with  Warren's  blood !" 

Putnam  mark'd  the  boaster — his  statue  seem'd 
To  raise — his  keen  fierce  eye  a  meteor  gleam'd. 

"  I  Warren's  blood  avenge  !''   No  more  he  said- 
He  brandish'd  in  the.  face  of  heaven  his  blade. 
In  which  more  eloquence  of  prayer  there  dwelt, 
Than  ever  yet  by  priest  in  robes  was  felt. 

His  sword  met  Abercrombie's  steel — the  clash 
Caused  zones  of  fire  with  vividness  to  flash. 
As  Hghtning  blazes  from  a  cloud  and  dies — 
So  lived — so  ceased  the  strife.     The  Briton  lies 
Stretching  in  death.    The  sword  had  found  its  way 
Between  the  ribs  where  vital  organs  play. 
TwD  soldiers  plunge  at  Putnam  with  the  spear. 
But  at  a  blow  they  fall — they  disappear ! 


BUNKER   HILL.  123 

No  weapon  the  Britannians  could  explode. 
For  closing,  opposite  they  facing  stood. 
Hence  would  a  death-shot  friend  and  foe  destroy, 
Should  reckless  they  the  blazing  tubes  employ ; 
A  new  position  therefore  must  they  take, 
Which  hardly  they  have  energy  to  make. 
Clinton  the  order  gives — voice  stammering,  weak. 
For  his  parch'd  tongue  scarce  audible  can  speak. 

Man's  nature  could  no  more — the  will  was  strong, 
Th'  exhausting  struggle  desperate  to  prolong ; 
But  every  sinew  to  its  utmost  strength. 
Had  been  exerted,  and  gives  way  at  length. 
Each  wildly  gazes  on  the  other  round. 
But  none  are  able  to  effect  a  wound. 
They  feel  war's  passion  in  their  hearts  to  rage, 
But  feeble  all  their  efforts  to  engage. 
A  well-aim'd  blow  falls  short  for  want  of  force — 
An  infant's  hand  might  bend  it  from  its  course. 
A  sweat  resembling  coming  death  appear'd 
On  every  brow,  while  still  the  tongue  was  sear'd. 
They  pant,  they  gasp  for  breath,  as  when  oppress'dy 
Stands  the  spent  stag,  laboring  with  heaving  breath . 


124  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Thus  when  two  elephants  on  Asia's  plain, 
Stung  with  the  smart  of  jealousy's  fierce  pain. 
Approach  each  other  with  a  look  that  shows. 
That  in  their  hearts  a  kindling  furnace  glows. 
They  rush  together  with  severe  address. 
Causing  their  ribs  to  bend  beneath  the  press. 
Around  each  other's  giant  limbs  they  coil 
Their  huge  proboscis,  prone  upon  the  soil 
To  cast  each  headlong,  then  with  crushing  feet 
To  trample  till  extinct  the  vital  heat. 
Their  thunderous  voice  rebellowing   through    the 

wood. 
Starts  the  wolf's  howling  and  the  hyenas'  biood  , 
The  tiger  and  the  leopard  watch  the  strife. 
But  in  the  combat  peril  not  their  life. 
Sweat  flows  in  streams — their  laboring  breath  grows 

short, — 
Their  eyes  from  struggling  from  their  place  distort. 
As  fails  their  mighty  strength,  their  passions  rise 
To  conquer,  win,  enjoy  the  tempting  prize. 
At  length,  exhausted,  bathed  in  blood  they  pause, 
Unable  longer  to  maintain  the  cause. 
Their  blasting  looks  a  burning  rage  reveal. 
While  they  through  weakness  on  a  balance  reel : 


BUNKER   HILL.  125 

So  stand  the  troops  of  either  flag  at  bay — 
Exertions  vast,  had  took  their  strength  away — 
These  to  assail,  the  others  to  defend, 
Till  knees  relaxing  sink,  and  reel,  and  bend. 
A  single  arm  would  turn  the  trembling  scale, 
But  ah,  that  arm  was  wanting  to  prevail. 

"  Where,   Gridley  !    where   art  thou !"     Thus 
Putnam  sad 
Exclaims,  smiting  his  heart  convulsive  mad. 
"  Will  no  one  come — not  one  to  give  us  aid — 

The  veteran  could  no  more — grief  choked  his 
tongue, 
While  cramping  agony  his  bosom  wrung. 
He  motions  backward  with  his  sword.     The  sign 
The  patriots  comprehend, — to  yield  the  line. 
And  farther  combat  merciful  decline. 

With  funeral  step  reluctant  they  recede. 
While  their  rent  heart-strings  drops  of  anguish  bleed 
At  times  a  tear  falls  scalding  down  their  cheek. 
But  none  the  utterance  of  a  word  can  speak. 
Cold  beads  of  sweat  upon  the  brow  congeal, 
Which  show  what  inward  struggling  they  conceal. 


}26  THE    BATTLE    OF 

Putnam  yet  lingering  on  the  rear  the  last, 
Back  on  the  foe  a  stern  defiance  cast. 
His  countenance  appeared  like  Jupiter's,  when  he 
Summon'd  the  gods  to  reverence  his  decree. 

The  hero  leads  th'  immortals  o'er  Jthe  plain. 
At  whom  the  vessels  pour'd  their  wrath  in  vain. 
The  Eagle,  though  retreating,  waves  her  plumes 
In  radiant  light  and  victory  assumes. 
Soon  on  a  neighboring  steep  the  flag  is  seen, 
Touch'd  with  a  ray  of  setting  sun  serene. 

Whil#  round    the    glorious  Height  a  rainbow 
curl'd — • 
Its  chosen  colors  beautiful  unfurl'd — 
A  sign — that  Liberty  would  bless  the  world. 

The  gazing  multitudes  on  bended  knee. 
With  upraised  hands  adore  the  Deity. 
Pure  from  the  altar  of  the  heart  is  given 
An  incense  that  conveys  the  soul  to  heaven. 
From  every  hill  instinct  with  life  is  sent 
Gratitude — a  mental  sacrament. 
That  from  their  neck  they  loosen'd  felt  the  yoke — 
That  the  first  link  in  slavery's  chain  was  broke — 
That  the  Supreme  for  them  his  arm  made  bare, 
And  placed  the  token  of  remembrance  there — 


BUNKER   HILL.  127 

That  when  the  hills  of  other  lands  should  fail. 
This  chosen  Height  in  memory  would  prevail } 
And  when  no  more  shall  other  days  be  told — 
Their  deeds  with  all  their  circumstance  grown  old, 
This  day  would  live  in  capitals  of  gold  5 
That  Warren's  name  a  talisman  would  be, 
For  nations  stooping  on  a  bended  knee. 
To  rend  their  chains — ^to  rise — ^to  strike — be  free  ! 


ODE  TO  INDEPENDENCE. 

Let  deafening  cannon  peal  to  heaven^ 
Their  kindled  thunders  jar  the  earth — 
Lo,  this  the  day  to  glory  given — 
The  day  that  hail'd  a  Nation's  birth  ! 

Let  the  full  soul  from  south  to  north. 
Join  to  proclaim  the  wondrous  day — 
Let  shouting  millions  on  the  Fourth, 
Shrill  to  the  heavens  the  news  convey ! 

The  theme  demands  creation's  tongue 
To  bear  its  swelling  chorus  high — 
The  anthem  ^r5i  Columbia  sung, 
And  shall  be  heard  till  Time  shall  die ! 

As  blackening  whirlwmds  edged  with  fire. 
Strike  terror  to  the  guilty  name  ; 


128  ODE    TO    INDEPENDENCE. 

So  tyrants  (me  by  one  expire, 
Consumed  by  Freedom's  hallo w'd  flame ! 

France  in  her  giant  strength  sprang  forth 
Arm'd  with  a  spear  and  truth's  bright  shield ; 
And,  while  she  sang  her  glorious  oirth, 
Waved  the  tri-banner  o'er  the  field ! 

Beneath  its  folds  exalted  stood, 
On  honor's  loftiest  parapet. 
He,  who  the  gazing  world  adored — 
Our  great,  our  good,  our  own  Fayette  ! 

A  captive  long  in  durance  bound, 
England  majestic  feels  her  might ; 
Her  chains  fall  sunder'd  to  the  ground- 
Indignant,  she  demands  her  right ! 

Hail !  Albion  !  hail !  the  charm  is  broke, 
That  long  hath  chill'd  thy  heart  with  fear ; 
Loosed  be  thy  neck  from  oppression's  yoke- 
Poised  in  thy  hand  is  Freedom's  spear ! 

Th'  impatient  goblets  charge  with  wine- 
Let  every  eye  invoke  the  sphere ; 
Kneel — pledge  the  sages — ^names  divine ' 
And  hail  them  with  enraptured  tear ! 

We  this  proud  day  to  them  decree. 
And  swear  with  an  upUfted  hand. 
That  we'll  maintain  their  legacy. 
Or  sprinkle  with  our  blood  the  land ! 

Washington  City,  July  ith,  1839. 


129 


APPENDIX, 


The    following   address  was   forwarded  by   those  patriots 

WHO   COMPOSED  THE  CoNTpiENTAL   CoNGRESS,    IOtH    MaY,    1775 

TO    THE   OPPRESSED   PEOPLE   OF   IRELAND. 

By  Chaeles  Caeeoll,  of  Carrollton. 
Friends  and  fellow-subjects. 

As  the  important  contest,  into  which  we  have  been  driven,  is  now 
become  interesting  to  every  European  State,  and  particularly  affects 
the  members  of  the  British  empire,  we  think  it  our  duty  to  address 
you  on  the  subject.  We  are  desirous,  as  is  natural  to  injured  inno- 
cence, of  possessing  the  good  opinion  of  the  virtuous  and  humane.— 
We  are  peculiarly  desirous  of  furnishing  you  with  a  true  state  of  our 
motives  and  objects  ;  the  better  to  enable  you  to  judge  of  our  con- 
duct with  accuracy,  and  determine  the  merits  of  the  controversy  with 
impartiality  and  precision. 

However  incredible  it  may  appear,  that,  at  this  enlightened  period, 
the  leaders  of  a  nation,  which  in  every  age  has  sacrificed  hecatombs 
of  her  bravest  patriots  on  the  altar  of  liberty,  should  presume  gravely 
to  assert,  and,  by  force  of  arms,  attempt  to  establish  an  arbitrary 
sway  over  the  lives,  liberties,  and  property  of  their  fellow-subjects  in 
America ;  it  is  nevertheless  a  most  deplorable  and  indisputable  truth. 

These  colonies  have,  from  the  time  of  their  first  settlement,  for 
near  two  centuries,  peaceably  enjoyed  those  very  rights,  of  which  the 
ministry  have,  for  ten  years  past,  endeavored,  by  fraud  and  by  vio- 
lence, to  deprive  them.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  last  war,  the  genius 
of  England  and  the  spirit  of  wisdom,  as  if  offended  at  the  ungrateful 


180  APPENDIX. 

treatment  of  their  sons,  withdrew  from  the  British  counsels,  and  left 
that  nation  a  prey  to  a  race  of  ministers,  with  whom  ancient  English 
honesty  and  benevolence  disdained  to  dwell.  From  that  period, 
jealousy,  discontent,  oppression,  and  discord,  have  raged  among  all 
his  majesty's  subjects,  and  filled  every  part  of  his  dominions  with 
distress  and  complaint. 

Not  content  with  our  purchasing  of  Britain,  at  her  own  price, 
clothing  and  a  thousand  other  articles  used  by  near  three  millions 
of  people  on  this  vast  continent ;  not  satisfied  with  the  amazing 
profits  arising  from  the  monopoly  of  our  trade,  without  giving  us 
either  time  to  breathe  after  a  long  though  glorious  war,  or  the  least 
credit  for  the  blood  and  treasure  we  have  expended  in  it ; — notwith- 
standing the  zeal  we  had  manifested  for  the  service  of  our  sovereign, 
and  the  warmest  attachment  to  the  constitution  of  Britain  and  the 
people  of  England,  a  black  and  horrid  design  was  formed,  to  convert 
us  from  freemen  into  slaves,  from  subjects  into  vassals,  and  from 
friends  into  enemies.  , 

Taxes,  for  the  first  time  since  we  landed  on  the  American  shores, 
were,  without  our  consent,  imposed  upon  us ;  an  unconstitutional 
edict  to  compel  us  to  furnish  necessaries  for  a  standing  army,  that 
we  wished  to  see  disbanded,  was  issued;  and  the  legislature  of 
New-  York  suspended  for  refusing  to  comply  with  it.  Our  ancient 
and  inestimable  right  of  trial  by  jury,  was,  in  many  instances, 
abolished ;  aod  the  common  law  of  the  land  made  to  give  place  to 
admiralty  jurisdictions.  Judges  were  rendered,  by  the  tenure  of 
their  commissions,  entirely  dependent  on  the  will  of  a  minister. 
New  crimes  were  arbitrarily  created  ;  and  new  courts,  unknown  to 
the  constitution,  instituted.  Wicked  and  insidious  governors  have 
been  set  over  us ;  and  dutiful  petitions  for  the  removal  of  even  the 
notoriously  infamous  governor  Hutchinson,  were  branded  with  the 
opprobious  appellation  of  scandalous  and  defamatory.  Hardy  attempts 
have  been  made  under  color  of  parliamentary  authority  to  seize 


APPENDIX.  181 

Americans,  and  carry  them  to  Great  Britain  to  be  tried  for  offences 
committed  in  the  colonies.  Ancient  charters  have  no  longer  re 
mained  sacred ;  that  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  was  violated,  and 
their  form  of  government  essentially  mutilated  and  transformed.  On 
pretence  of  punishing  a  violation  of  some  private  property,  com- 
mitted by  a  few  disguised  individuals,  the  populous  and  flourishing 
town  of  Boston  was  surrounded  by  fleets  and  armies  its  trade 
destroyed  ;  its  port  blocked  up ;  and  thirty  thousand  ci  izens  sub- 
jected  to  all  the  miseries  attending  so  sudden  a  convulsion  in  their 
commercial  metropolis  ;  and  to  remove  every  obstacle  to  the  rigor- 
ous execution  of  this  system  of  oppression,  an  act  of  parliament  was 
passed  evidently  calculated  to  indemnify  those  who  might,  in  the 
prosecution  of  it,  even  imbrue  their  hands  in  the  blood  of  the  in- 
habitants. 

Though  pressed  by  such  an  accumulation  of  undeserved  injuries, 
America  still  remembered  her  duty  to  her  sovereign.  A  Congress, 
consisting  of  deputies  from  twelve  United  Colonies,  assembled. 
They  in  the  most  respectful  terms  laid  their  grievances  at  the  foot 
of  the  throne ;  and  implored  his  majesty's  interposition  in  their 
behalf.  They  also  agreed  to  suspend  all  trade  with  Great  BHtain^ 
Ireland,  and  the  West  Indies ;  hoping,  by  this  peaceable  mode  of 
opposition,  to  obtain  that  justice  from  the  British  ministry  whif'h  had 
been  so  long  solicited  in  vain. — And  here  permit  us  to  assure  you, 
that  it  was  with  the  utmost  reluctance  we  could  prevail  upoo  our- 
selves, to  cease  our  commercial  connection  with  your  island. — Your 
parliament  had  done  us  no  wrong. — You  had  ever  been  friendly  to 
the  rights  of  mankind  ;  and  we  acknowledge,  with  pleasure  and 
gratitude,  that  your  nation  has  produced  patriots,  who  have  nobly 
distinguished  themselves  in  the  cause  of  humanity  and  America  On 
the  other  hand,  we  were  not  ignorant  that  the  labor  and  manufac- 
tures oi  Ireland,  like  those  of  the  silkworm,  were  of  little  moment  to 
herself;  but  served  only  to  give  luxury  to  those  who  neither  toUncf 


182'  APPENDIX. 

fpin.— We  perceived  that  if  we  continued  our  commerce  with  you, 
our  agreement  not  to  import  from  Britain  would  be  fruitless,  and 
were  therefore  compelled  to  adopt  a  measure,  to  which  nothing  but 
absolute  necessity  would  have  reconciled  us.  It  gave  us,  however, 
some  consolation  to  reflect,  that  should  it  occasion  much  distress,  the 
fertile  regions  of  America  would  afford  you  a  safe  asylum  from 
poverty,  and  in  time  from  oppression  also;  an  asylum  in  which 
many  thousands  of  your  countrymen  have  found  hospitality,  peace, 
and  affluence,  and  become  united  to  us  by  all  the  ties  of  consan- 
guinity, mutual  interest,  and  affection.  Nor  did  Congress  stop  here  : 
— flattered  by  a  pleasing  expectation,  that  the  justice  and  humanity 
which  had  so  long  characterized  the  English  nation,  would,  on 
proper  application,  afford  us  relief;  they  represented  their  grievan- 
ces in  an  affectionate  address  to  their  brethren  in  Britain,  and  en- 
treated their  aid  and  interposition  in  behalf  of  these  colonies. 

The  more  fully  to  evince  their  respect  for  their  sovereign,  the  un- 
happy people  of  Boston  were  requested  by  the  Congress  to  submit 
with  patience  to  their  fate ;  and  all  America  united  in  a  resolution  to 
abstain  from  every  species  of  violence. — During  this  period  that  de- 
voted town  suffered  unspeakably.  Its  inhabitants  were  insulted,  and 
their  property  violated.  Still  relying  on  the  clemency  and  justice  of 
his  majesty  and  the  nation,  they  permitted  a  few  regiments  to  take 
possession  of  their  town  ;  to  surround  it  with  fortifications  ;  and  to  cut 
off  all  intercourse  between  them  and  their  friends  in  the  country. 

With  anxious  expectation  did  all  Amenca  wait  the  event  of  their 
petition — all"  America  laments  its  fate. — Their  prince  was  deaf  to 
their  complaints  :  and  vain  were  all  attempts  to  impress  him  with  a 
sense  of  the  sufferings  of  his  American  subjects,  of  the  cruelty  of 
their  task-masters,  and  of  the  many  plagues  which  impended  over 
his  dominions.  Instead  of  directions  for  a  candid  inquiry  into  our 
grievances,  insult  was  added  to  oppression ;  and  our  long  forbear- 
ance rewarded  with  the  imputation  of  cowardice.     Our  trade  with 


APPENDIX.  18S 

foreign  states  was  prohibited ;  and  an  act  of  parliament  passed  to 
prevent  our  even  fishing  on  our  own  coasts.  Our  peaceable  asseni- 
hlies,  for  the  purpose  of  consulting  the  common  safety,  were  declared 
seditious ;  and  our  asserting  the  very  rights  which  placed  the  Crown 
of  Great  Britain  on  the  heads  of  the  three  successive  princes  of  tne 
house  of  Hanover,  styled  rebellion. — Orders  were  given  to  reinforce 
the  troops  in  America.  The  wild  and  barbarous  savages  of  the 
wilderness  have  been  solicited  by  gifts  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against 
ns  ;  and  instigated  to  deluge,  our  settlements  with  the  blood  of  inno- 
cent and  defenceless  women  and  children. — The  whole  country  was, 
moreover,  alarmed  with  the  horrors  of  domestic  insurrections.— 
Refinements  in  parental  cruelty,  at  which  the  genius  of  Britain  must 
blush  !  Refinements  which  admit  not  of  being  even  recited  without 
horror,  or  practised  without  infamy !  We  should  be  happy,  were 
these  dark  machinations  the  mere  suggestions  of  suspicion.  We  are 
sorry  to  declare,  that  we  are  possessed  of  the  most  authentic  and  in- 
dubitable evidence  of  their  reality. 

The  ministry,  bent  on  pulling  down  the  pillars  of  the  constitution, 
endeavored  to  erect  the  standard  of  despotism  in  America ;  and  if 
successful,  Britain  and  Ireland  may  shudder  at  the  consequences  ! 

Three  of  their  most  experienced  generals,  are  sent  to  wage  war 
with  their  fellow-subjects ;  and  America  is  amazed  to  find  the  nam© 
of  Howe  in  the  catalogue  of  her  enemies : — she  loved  his  brother. 

Despairing  of  driving  the  colonists  to  resistance  by  any  other 
means  than  actual  hostility,  a  detachment  of  the  army  at  Boston 
marched  into  the  country  in  all  the  array  of  war ;  and,  unprovoked, 
fired  upon,  and  killed  several  of  the  inhabitants. — The  neighboring 
farmers  suddenly  assembled,  and  repelled  the  attack.  From  this,  al" 
coramunication  between  the  town  and  country  was  intercepted.-— 
Ts\Q  citizens  petitioned  the  general  for  permission  to  leave  the  town, 
and  he  promised,  on  surrendering  their  arms,  to  permit  them  to  de- 
part with  their  other  efiects.     They  accordingly  surrendered  their 


134  APPENDIX. 

arms,  and  the  general  violated  his  faith. — ^Undei  various  prelencea, 
passports  were  delayed  and  denied ;  and  man\  thousands  of  in*% 
inhabitants  are  at  this  day  confined  in  the  town,  in  the.  utmost 
wretchedness  and  want.  The  lame,  the  blind,  and  the  sick,  hav« 
indeed  been  turned  out  into  the  neighboring  fields ;  and  some,  eJ»j- 
ding  the  vigilance  of  the  sentries,  have  escaped  from  the  town,  Dv 
swimming  to  the  adjacent  shores. 

The  war  having  thus  began  on  the  part  of  general  Gage's  troops, 
the  country  armed  and  embodied.  The  reinforcements  from  Irelana 
soon  after  arrived  ;  a  vigorous  attack  was  then  made  upon  tuo 
provincials. — In  their  march,  the  troops  surrounded  the  town  of 
Charlestown,  consisting  of  about  four  hundred  houses,  then  recently 
abandoned  to  escape  the  fury  of  a  relentless  soldiery.  Having  plun- 
dered  the  houses,  they  set  fire  to  the  town,  and  reduced  it  to  ashes, 
— To  this  wanton  waste  of  property,  unknown  to  civilized  nations, 
they  were  prompted  the  better  to  conceal  their  approach  under  cover 
of  the  smoke.  A  shocking  mixture  of  cowardice  and  cruelty,  which 
then  first  tarnished  the  lustre  of  the  British  arms,  when  aimed  at  a 
brother's  breast ! — But  blessed  be  God,  they  were  restrained  from 
committing  farther  ravages,  by  the  loss  of  a  very  considerable  part 
of  their  army,  including  many  of  their  most  experienced  officers. — 
The  loss  of  the  inhabitants  was  inconsiderable. 

Compelled  therefore  to  behold  thousands  of  our  countrymen  im- 
prisoned,  and  men,  women,  and  children  involved  in  promiscuoua 
and  unmerited  misery — When  we  find  all  faith  at  an  end,  ana 
sacred  treaties  turned  into  tricKs  of  state ;  when  we  perceive  our 
friends  and  kinsmen  massacred,  our  habitations  plundered,  our 
houses  in  flames,  and  their  once  happy  inhabitants  fed  only  by  me 
hand  of  charity ; — who  can  blame  us  for  endeavoring  to  restram  tne 
progress  of  desolation  ?  who  can  censure  our  repealing  the  attacks  oi 
such  a  barbarous  band  ?  who,  in  such  circumstances,  would  not  obey 
the  great,  the  universal,  the  divine  law  of  self-preservation  l 


APPENDIX.  135 

Though  vilified  as  wanting  spirit,  we  are  determined  to  behave 
like  men — though  insulted  and  abused,  we  wish  for  reconciliation. — 
Though  defamed  as  seditious,  we  are  ready  to  obey  the  laws — and 
though  charged  with  rebellion,  will  cheerfully  bleed  in  defence  of  our 
sovereign  in  a  righteous  cause.-'- What  more  can  we  say  ? — What 
more  can  we  offer  ? 

But  we  forbear  to  trouble  you  with  a  tedious  detail  of  the  various 
and  fruitf.ess  offers  and  applications  we  have  repeatedly  made,  not 
for  pensions,  for  wealth,  or  for  honors,  but  for  the  humble  boon  of 
being  permitted  to  possess  the  fruits  of  honest  industry,  and  to  enjoy 
that  degree  of  liberty,  to  which  God  and  the  constitution  have  givpa 
us  an  undoubted  right. 

Blessed  with  an  indissoluble  Union,  with  a  variety  of  internal  re- 
sources, and  with  a  firm  reliance  on  the  justice  of  the  Supreme  Dis- 
poser of  all  human  events,  we  have  no  doubt  of  rising  superior  to  all 
the  machinations  of  evil  and  abandoned  ministers.  We  already  an- 
ticipate the  golden  period,  when  liberty,  with  all  the  gentle  arts  of 
peace  and  humanity,  shall  establish  her  mild  dominion  in  this  west- 
ern world,  and  erect  eternal  monuments  to  the  memory  of  those 
virtuous  patriots  and  martyrs,  who  shall  have  fought  and  bled  and 
suffered  in  her  cause. 

Accept  our  most  grateful  acknowledgments  for  the  friendly  dispo- 
sition you  have  always  shown  towards  us. — We  know  that  you  are 
not  without  your  grievances. — We  sympathize  with  you  in  your  dis- 
tress, and  are  pleased  to  find  that  the  design  of  subjugating  us,  has 
persuaded  administration  to  dispense  to  Ireland,  some  vagrant  rays 
of  ministerial  sunshine. — Even  the  tender  mercies  of  government 
have  long  been  cruel  towards  you. — In  the  rich  pastures  of  Ireland, 
many  hungry  parricides  have  fed,  and  grown  strong  to  labor  in  its 
destruction.  We  hope  the  patient  abiding  of  the  meek  may  not 
always  be  forgotten ;  and  God  grant  that  the  iniquitous  schemes  of 
extirpating  liberty  from  the  British  emoire  may  be  soon  defeated. 


136  APPENDIX. 

But  we  should  be  wanting  to  ourselves  ;  we  should  be  perfidious  to 
posterity ;  we  should  be  unworthy  that  ancestry  from  which  we  dc 
rive  our  descent,  should  we  submit  with  folded  arms  to  military 
butchery  and  depredation,  to  gratify  the  lordly  ambition,  or  sate  the 
avarice  of  a  British  ministry.  In  defence  of  our  persons  and 
properties,  under  actual  violation,  we  have  taken  up  arms ;  when 
that  violence  shall  be  removed,  and  hostilities  cease  on  the  part  of 
the  aggressors,  they  shall  cease  on  our  part  also.  For  the  achieve- 
ment of  this  happy  event,  we  confide  in  the  good  offices  of  our  fellow, 
subjects  beyond  the  Atlantic,  Of  their  friendly  disposition  we  do  not 
yet  despond ;  aware  as  they  must  be,  that  they  have  nothing  more  to 
expect  from  the  same  common  enemy,  than  the  humble  favor  of 
being  last  devoured. 


The  following  record  of  facts  will  be  read  with  deep  interest,  as 
they  led  to  the  ever  memorable  action  portrayed,  which  resulted  in 
giving  liberty  to  the  American  nation  at  a  time  liberty  had  flown, 
and  iron  tyrants  ruled  the  land  alone. 

To  THE  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esq.,  at  London. 
In  Provincial  Congress^  Watertown,  April  26,  1775 

Sir — ^From  the  entire  confidence  we  repose  in  your  faithfulness 
and  abilities,  we  consider  it  the  happiness  of  this  colony,  that  the 
important  trust  of  agency  for  it,  in  this  day  of  unequalled  distress,  is 
devolved  on  your  hands,  and  we  doubt  not  your  attachment  to  the 
cause  and  liberties  of  mankind  will  make  every  possible  exertion  in 
our  behalf,  a  pleasure  to  you ;  although  our  circumstances  wil  com- 
pel us  often  to  interrupt  your  repose  by  matters  that  will  surely 
give  you  pain.     A  singular  instance  hereof  is  the  occasion  of  the 


APPENDIX.  187 

present  letter.     The  contents  of  this  packet,  will  be  our  apology  for 
troubling  you  with  it. 

From  these  you  will  see  how  and  by  whom  we  are  at  last 
plunged  into  the  horrors  of  a  most  unnatural  war. 

Our  enemies,  we  are  told,  have  despatched  to  Great  Britain  a 
fallacious  account  of  the  tragedy  they  have  begun ;  to  prevent  the 
operation  of  which  to  the  public  injury,  we  have  engaged  the  vessel 
that  conveys  this  to  you,  as  a  packet  in  the  service  of  this  colony, 
and  we  request  your  assistance  in  supplying  captain  Derby,  who 
commands  her,  with  such  necessaries  as  he  shall  want,  on  the  credit 
of  your  constituents  in  Massachusetts  Bay, 

But  we  most  ardently  wish  that  the  several  papers  herewith  en- 
closed may  be  immediately  printed  and  dispersed  through  every 
town  in  England,  and  especially  communicated  to  the  lord  mayor, 
aldermen,  and  council  of  the  city  of  London,  that  they  may  take 
such  order  thereon,  as  they  may  think  proper.  And  we  are  confi- 
dent your  fidelity  will  make  such  improvement  of  them,  as  shall 
convince  all,  who  are  not  determined  to  be  in  everlasting  blindness, 
that  it  is  the  united  efforts  of  both  Englands,  that  can  save  either. 
But  that  whatever  price  our  brethren  in  the  one,  may  be  pleased  to 
put  on  their  constitutional  liberties,  we  are  authorized  to  assure  yo  J, 
*Jiat  the  inhabitants  of  the  other,  with  the  greatest  unanimity,  are  in- 
flexibly resolved  to  sell  theirs  only  at  the  price  of  their  lives. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  provincial  congress, 

JOSEPH  WARREN,  President,  P.  T 
A  true  copy  from  the  original  minuUe 

■^Mua  Feeeman  Secretary,  P.  T» 


138  APPENDrS. 

In  Provincial  Congress,  Watertown,  May  3,  177o 

To    THE     HONORABLE    AMERICAN     CONTINENTAL    CoNGRISS,     TO     BE 
CONVENED   AT   PHILADELPHIA,  ON   THE   TENTH   OF    MaY   INST. 

May  it  please  your  Honors — 

The  congress  of  this  colony,  impressed  with  the  deepest  concjem 
for  their  country,  under  the  present  critical  and  alarming  state  of  its 
public  affairs,  beg  leave  with  the  utmost  submission,  whilst  acting  in 
support  of  the  cause  of  America,  to  request  the  direction  and  assist- 
ance of  your  respectable  assembly. 

The  enclosed  packet;  containing  copies  of  the  depositions,  which 
we  have  despatched  for  London,  also  an  address  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Great  Britain,  and  a  letter  to  our  colony  agent,  Benjamin  Franklin, 
Esq.,  are  humbly  submitted  to  your  consideration. 

The  sanguinary  zeal  of  the  ministerial  army,  to  ruin  and  destroy 
the  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  hath 
rendered  the  establishment  of  an  army  indispensably  necessary  ;  we 
have  accordingly  passed  a  unanimous  resolve  for  thirteen  thousand 
six  hundred  men,  to  be  forthwith  raised  by  this  colony,  and  proposals 
are  made  by  us  to  the  congress  of  New-Hampshire  and  govern- 
ments  of  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut  colonies,  for  furnishing  men 
in  the  same  proportion. 

The  sudden  exigency  of  our  public  affairs,  precluded  the  possibility 
of  waiting  for  your  direction  in  these  important  measures,  more 
especially,  as  a  considerable  reinforcement  from  Great  Britain  is 
daily  expected  in  this  colony,  and  we  are  now  reduced  to  the  sad 
alternative  of  defending  ourselves  by  arms,  or  submitting  to  be 
slaughtered. 

With  the  greatest  deference,  we  beg  leave  to  suggest,  that  a 
powerful  army  on  the  side  o^  America,  hath  been  considered  by  this 
congress,  as  the  only  means  left  to  stem  the  rapid  progress  of  a 
tyrannical  ministry.     Without  a  force  superior  t»  our  enemies,  we 


APPENDIX.  180 

must  reasonably  expect  to  become  the  victims  of  their  relentless  fury. 
With  such  a  force,  we  may  still  have  hopes  of  seeing  an  immediate 
end  put  to  the  inhuman  ravages  of  mercenary  troops  in  Americaf 
and  the  wicked  authors  of  our  miseries  brought  to  condign  punish- 
ment, by  the  just  indignation  of  our  brethren  in  Great  Britain. 

We  hope  that  this  colony  will,  at  all  times,  be  ready  to  spend  and 
be  spent  in  the  cause  of  America,  It  is,  nevertheless,  a  misfortune 
greatly  operating  to  its  disadvantage,  that  it  has  a  great  number  of 
seaport  towns,  exposed  to  the  approach  of  the  enemy  by  sea ;  from 
many  of  which,  the  inhabitants  have  removed,  and  are  removing 
their  families  and  effects,  to  avoid  destruction  from  ships  of  war. 
These,  we  apprehend,  will  be  generally  distressed  from  want  of  sub- 
sistence, and  disabled  from  contributing  aid  for  supporting  the  forces 
of  the  colony ;  but  we  have  the  greatest  confidence  in  the  wisdom 
and  ability  of  the  continent  to  support  us,  so  far  as  it  shall  appear  ne- 
cessary  for  supporting  the  common  cause  of  the  American  colonies. 

We  also  enclose  several  resolves  for  empowering  and  directing  our 
receiver-general  to  borrow  the  sum  of  one  hundred  thousand  pounds, 
lawful  money,  and  to  issue  his  notes  for  the  same ;  it  being  the  only 
measure  which  we  could  have  recourse  to  for  supporting  out  forces , 
and  we  request  your  assistance  in  rendering  our  measures  effectual 
by  giving  our  notes  a  currency  through  the  continent. 

JOSEPH  WARREN.  President,  P.  T 


140  APPENDIX. 

Monday,  May  29,  1775. 

The  Congress  met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  committee  to  whom  the  letter  to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada 
was  recommitted,  brought  in  the  same,  which  was  read  and  approved, 
and  is  as  follows  : 

TO  THE  OPPRESSED  INHABITANTS  OF  CANADA. 

r>  '     J        J  n       ^  By  Charles  Caeroll,  of  Carrollton. 

tnends  and  Countrymen — 

Alarmed  by  the  designs  of  an  arbitrary  ministry  to  extirpate  tne 
rights  and  liberties  of  all  America^  a  sense  of  common  danger  con- 
spired with  the  dictates  of  humanity  in  urging  us  to  call  your  atten- 
tion, by  our  late  address,  to  this  very  important  object. 

Since  the  conclusion  of  the  late  war,  we  have  been  happy  in 
considering  you  as  fellow-subjects,  and  from  the  commencement  of 
the  present  plan  for  subjugating  the  continent,  we  have  viewed  you 
as  fellow-sufferers  with  us.  As  we  were  both  entitled  by  the  bounty 
of  an  indulgent  Creator  to  freedom,  and  being  both  devoted,  by  the 
cruel  edicts  of  a  despotic  administration,  to  common  ruin,  we  per- 
ceived the  fate  of  the  protestant  and  catholic  colonies  to  be  strongly 
linked  together,  and  therefore  invited  you  to  join  with  us  in  resolving 
to  be  free,  and  in  rejecting  with  disdain  the  fetters  of  slavery,  how- 
ever artfully  polished. 

We  most  sincerely  condole  with  you  on  the  arrival  of  that  day,  ki 
the  course,  of  which,  the  sun  could  not  shine  on  a  single  freeman  in 
all  your  extensive  dominion.  Be  assured  that  your  unmerited  degra- 
dation has  engaged  the  most  unfeigned  pity  of  your  sister  colonies, 
and  we  flatter  ourselves  you  will  not,  by  tamely  bearing  the  yoke 
suffer  that  pity  to  be  supplanted  by  contempt. 

When  hardy  attempts  are  made  to  deprive  men  of  rights  bestowed 
by  the  Almighty,  when  avenues  are  cut  through  the  most  solemn 
compacts  for  the  admission  of  despotism,  when  the  plighted  faith  of 
government  ceases  to  give  security  to  dutiful  subjects,  and  when  tho 


APPENDIX.  141 

insidious  stratagems  and  manoeuvres  of  peace  become  more  terrible 
than  the  sanguinary  operations  of  war,  it  is  high  time  for  them  to  as- 
sert those  rights,  and,  with  honest  indignation,  oppose  the  torrent  of 
oppression  rushing  in  upon  them. 

By  the  mtroauction  of  your  present  form  of  government,  or  rather 
piesent  form  of  tyranny,  you  and  your  wives  and  your  children  are 
made  slaves.  You  have  nothing  that  you  can  call  your  own,  and  all 
the  fruits  of  your  labor  and  industry  may  be  taken  from  you,  when- 
ever an  avaricious  governor  and  a  rapacious  council  may  incline  to 
demand  them.  You  are  liable  by  their  edicts  to  be  transported  into 
foreign  countries  to  fight  battles  in  which  you  have  no  interest,  and 
to  spill  your  blood  in  conflicts  from  which  neither  honor  nor  emol- 
ument can  be  derived  :  Nay,  the  enjo^ent  of  your  very  religion,  on 
the  present  system,  depends  on  a  legislature  in  which  you  have  no 
share,  and  over  which  you  have  no  control,  and  your  priests  are  ex- 
posed to  expulsion,  banishment,  and  ruin,  whenever  their  wealth  and 
possessions  furnish  sufficient  temptation.  They  cannot  be  sure  that 
a  virtuous  prince  will  always  fill  the  throne,  and  should  a  wicked  or 
a  careless  king  concur  with  a  wicked  ministry  in  extracting  the  trea- 
sure and  strength  of  your  country,  it  is  impossible  to  conceive  to 
what  variety  and  to  what  extremes  of  wretchedness  you  may,  under 
the  present  establishment,  be  reduced. 

We  are  informed  you  have  already  been  called  upon  to  waste  your 
lives  in  a  contest  with  us.  Should  you,  by  complying  in  thisinstance, 
assent  to  your  new  establishment,  and  a  war  break  out  with  France, 
your  wealth  and  your  sons  may  be  sent  to  perish  in  expeditions  against 
their  -slands  in  the  West  Indies, 

It  cannot  be  presumed  that  these  considerations  will  have  no  weight 
with  you,  or  that  you  are  so  lost  to  all  sense  of  honor.  We  can 
never  believe  that  the  present  race  of  Canadians  are  so  degenerated 
as  to  possess  neither  the  spirit,  the  gallantry,  nor  the  courage  of  thnir 
ancestors.     You  certainly  will  not  permit  the  infamy  and  disgrace 


142 


APPENDIX. 


of  such  pusillanimity  to  rest  on  your  own  heads,  and  the  consequences 
of  it  on  your  children  forever. 

We,  for  our  parts,  are  determined  to  live  free  or  not  at  all,  and  are 
resolved  that  posterity  shall  never  reproach  us  with  having  brought 
slaves  into  the  world. 

Permit  us  again  to  repeat  that  we  are  your  friends,  not  your  ene- 
mies, and  be  not  imposed  upon  by  those  who  may  endeavor  to  cre- 
ate animosities.  The  taking  of  the  fort  and  military  stores  at  Ticon' 
deroga  and  Crown-Point,  and  the  armed  vessels  on  the  Lake,  was 
dictated  by  the  great  law  of  self-preservation.  They  were  intended 
to  annoy  us,  and  to  cut  off  that  friendly  intercourse  and  communica- 
tion which  has  hitherto  subsisted  between  you  and  us.  We  hope  it 
has  given  you  no  uneasiness,  and  you  may  rely  on  our  assurances, 
that  these  colonies  will  pursue  no  measures  whatever,  but  such  as 
friendship,  and  a  regard  for  our  mutual  safety  and  interest,  may  sug. 


As  our  concern  for  your  welfare  entitles  us  to  your  friendship,  we 
presume  you  will  not,  by  doing  us  injury,  reduce  us  to  the  disagree- 
able necessity  of  treating  you  as  enemies. 

We  yet  entertain  hopes  of  your  uniting  with  us  in  the  defence  of 
our  common  liberty,  and  there  is  yet  reason  to  believe,  that  should 
we  join  in  imploring  the  attention  of  our  sovereign  to  the  unmerited 
and  unparalleled  oppressions  of  his  American  subjects,  he  will  at  length 
be  undefteived,  and  forbid  a  licentious  ministry  any  longer  to  riot  i'q 
the  ruins  of  the  rights  of  mankind. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  letter  be  signed  by  the  President. 


APPBMDn:.  V  148 


Extract  from  the  Address  of  the  twelve  united  colonies,  by 

THEIR   delegates   IN   CoNGRESS,    TO   THE    INHABITANTS   OF    GrEAT 

Britain. 
Friends,  Countrymen,  and  Brethren — 

«  By  these,  and  by  every  other  appellation  that  may  designate  the 
ties  which  bind  ils  to  each  other,  we  entreat  your  serious  attention  to 
this  our  second  attempt  to  prevent  their  dissolution.  Remembrance 
of  former  friendships,  pride  in  the  glorious  achievements  of  our  com- 
mon ancestors,  and  affection  for  the  heirs  of  their  virtues,  have  hith- 
erto preserved  our  mutual  connection ;  but  when  that  friendship  is 
violated  by  the  grossest  injuries  ;  when  the  pride  of  ancestry  becomes 
our  reproach,  and  we  are  no  otherwise  allied  than  as  tyrants  and 
slaves ;  when  reduced  to  the  melancholy  alternative  of  renouncing 
your  favor  or  our  freedom,  can  we  hesitate  about  the  choice  ?  Let 
the  spirit  of  Britons  determine. 

*<  In  a  former  address  we  asserted  our  rights,  and  stated  the  injuries 
we  had  then  received.  We  hoped  that  the  mention  of  our  wrongs 
would  have  roused  that  honest  indignation  which  has  slept  too  long 
for  your  honor,  or  the  welfare  of  the  empire.  But  we  have  not  been 
permitted  to  entertain  this  pleasing  expectation.  Every  day  brought 
an  accumulation  of  injuries,  and  the  invention  of  the  ministry  has 
been  constantly  exercised  in  adding  to  the  calamities  of  your  Ameri- 
can brethren. 

« After  the  most  valuable  right  of  legislation  was  infringed  ;  when 
the  powers  assumed  by  your  Parliament,  in  which  we  are  not  repre- 
sented, and  from  our  local  and  other  circumstances  cannot  properly 
be  represented,  rendered  our  property  precarious ;  after  being  denied 
that  mode  of  trial  to  which  we  have  long  been  indebted  for  the  safety 
of  our  persons,  and  the  preservation  of  our  liberties  ;  after  being  in 
many  instances  divested  of  those  laws  which  were  transmitted  to  ua 
by  our  common  ancestors,  and  subjected  to  an  arbitrary  codci  com- 


144  APPENDIX. 

•>iled  under  the  auspices  of  Roman  tyrants ;  after  those  charters, 
which  encouraged  our  predecessors  to  brave  death  and  danger  in 
every  shape,  on  unknown  seas,  in  deserts  unexplored,  amidst  barba 
-ous  and  inhospitable  nations,  were  annulled  ;  when,  without  the  form 
of  trial,  without  a  public  accusation,  whole  colonies  were  condemned, 
their  trade  destroyed,  their  inhabitants  impoverished  ;  when  soldiers 
were  encouraged  to  imbrue  their  hands  in  the  blood  of  Americans^ 
by  offers  of  impunity ;  when  new  modes  of  trial  were  instituted  for 
the  ruin  of  the  accused,  where  the  charge  carried  with  it  the  horrors 
of  conviction ;  when  a  despotic  government  was  established  in  a 
neighboring  province,  and  its  limits  extended  to  %very  of  our  fron- 
tiers, we  little  imagined  that  any  thing  could  be  added  to  this  black 
catalogue  of  unprovoked  injuries :  but  we  have  unhappily  been  de- 
ceived, and  the  late  measures  of  the  British  ministry  fully  convince 
us  that  their  object  is  the  reduction  of  these  colonies  to  slavery  and 
lin. 

«  To  confirm  this  assertion,  let  us  recall  your  attention  to  the  affairs 
ot  America  since  our  last  address.  Let  us  combat  the  calumnies  of 
our  enemies ;  and  let  us  warn  you  of  the  dangers  that  threaten  you 
m  our  destruction.  Many  of  your  fellow-subjects,  whose  situation 
deprived  them  of  other  support,  drew  their  maintenance  from  the 
sea ;  but  the  deprivation  of  our  liberty  being  insufficient  to  satisfy 
the  resentment  of  our  enemies,  the  horrors  of  famine  were  superad- 
ded,  and  a  British  Parliament,  who,  in  former  times,  were  the  pro- 
tectors of  innocence  and  the  patrons  of  humanity,  have,  without  dis- 
tinction of  age  or  sex,  robbed  thousands  of  the  food  which  they  were 
accustomed  to  draw  from  that  inexhaustible  source,  placed  xn  their 
neighborhood  by  the  benevolent  Creator. 


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